Christina Aguilera botches national anthem at Super Bowl

By
Jen Chaney

Update:Christina Aguilera issued the following statement in response to the uproar: "I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through."

-----
(Originally posted at 9:50 p.m. ET, 2/6/11)Note: This post has been updated to reflect a more accurate description of the "o'er the ramparts" lyric of our national anthem.

Christina Aguilera hit all the right notes during her pre-Super Bowl performance of the national anthem. But the right lyrics? Not so much.

Aguilera completely dissed both the ramparts and the fact that o'er them, we could see the broad stripes and bright stars gallantly streaming, by skipping that line entirely. Instead she sang: "What so proudly we watched at the twilight's last gleaming." That was a pseudo-repeat of the earlier lyric, "What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming." If you missed it, catch the moment via the video below.

To Aguilera's credit, she kept going. And the fact that she botched the lyrics verifies that she was genuinely singing live.

But when you're hired to belt out "The Star Spangled Banner" at the biggest television event of the year, it's probably best to know the words.

Naturally tweeters and other online commenters went nuts, calling Xtina a bimbo and a hack, among other choice names. But what do you think? Is this mistake inexcusable? Or should we cut Aguilera a break for at least demonstrating her vocal talents, if not a rock-solid memory?

"...or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site."

It is hypocritical to scream "1st amendment rights" when it comes to the trash you print, but then turn around and perform a censorship function upon those who would disagree with you. What a bluto you are.

"...or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site."

It is hypocritical to scream "1st amendment rights" when it comes to the trash you print, but then turn around and perform a censorship function upon those who would disagree with you. What a bluto you are. Is my criticism of your position "inappropriate material?" Well, that is okay for most of what you print is "inappropriate trash."

The National Anthem is NOT as damned lounge act in a third rate Vegas hotel.

Next Super Bowl (or World Series, or Final Four, or whetever,) get a band from any of the service academies, play the song with dignity, and listen to it being sung by 100,000 people...who know the damned words!

I dislike every rendition of the national anthem by singers focused on their own performance rather than respect for the nation, it's people, and the anthem. There are many groups, military, collegiate, etc. Who will sing the anthem properly. We do not need to listen to mediocre singers, changing the rythmn or the melody (often because they are unable to reach the high notes or keep time), trying to be "cute." I am offended by self-serving butchering of the anthem. Can we please stop choosing "pop" performers who can't sing.

Xtine should not have flubbed the lyrics. Similarly, you should not have posted an article that comments on "the ramparts and the fact that they were gallantly streaming." (Hint: ramparts don't stream.) Knowing the lyrics by heart is kind of pointless if you don't understand them....

Sad! But I would bet that Christina doesn't know a lot about America, not just the words to her country's national anthem! It isn't important to her and sadly, most of her ilk. Know why? She has never contributed anything to its preservation but expects it protect and give her sustenance.

Why can't they get someone to sing the
song the way it was written? She sounded
horrible, messed up the words, this is
our National Anthem, should bring tears
to the eyes instead of making you want
to puke.

Ok. Yes. She botched our anthem, beyond argument the most important American song ever.

However, before we have her drawn and quartered, let's step back and ask ourselves: Could I get up there and sing that incredibly important song in front of the ENTIRE NATION (guaranteed her biggest live audience EVER)? Could I just go on, knowing that I'd flubbed it (because you better believe she knew she'd flubbed it), or would I just drop the mic, start bawling like a baby, and run to find a boulder to hide under???

Yes. She messed it up. Yes, it's a big deal. Yeah, frankly I'd rather watch a bunch of hot military guys in uniform sing it over a pop-star who debuted when I was in the fourth grade. However, she is a good singer in her own right (although not to my taste) and we never hear much about her going psycho and shaving her head, or doing crack and trying to run some nobody over, or anything else untoward. So cut her a little slack. She was probably nervous as all heck, and - for me, anyway - it's hard to talk to ONE person when I'm nervous. Imagine singing in front of MILLIONS.

Don't know what a "rampart" is? That's more disgusting and unforgivable than a young woman making an error singing live -- not surprised. The Washington Post has that kind of contempt for its dwindling number or readers.

Well... it wasn't as bad as Billy Joel's Auto-Tune malfunction a few years back (maybe at the World Series?) when his all-too 'helpful' robots that were supposed to keep him on pitch led him to uncharted and distinctly disharmonic territories.

Of course Aguilera was headed there on her own... I think she may have crossed paths with the actual melody once or twice.

Although I generally like an interpretive, bluesy style of singing - I like to hear our National Anthem sung pretty much the way it was written. The singers sound like they are show-boating more than honoring our country.

The National Anthem is NOT as damned lounge act in a third rate Vegas hotel.

Next Super Bowl (or World Series, or Final Four, or whetever,) get a band from any of the service academies, play the song with dignity, and listen to it being sung by 100,000 people...who know the damned words!

Singing the national anthem should never be a forum for someone's ego. I would never call what Aguilera does as "singing," but this so-called performance was really painful. Not only did she screw up a song most U.S. citizens know in our sleep, she decided to scream it. Where's the respect? Why do these performers think that screaming means they have talent? She couldn't sing it with respect if she had to. Get a professional next time.

Actually, all the musical entertainment was painful, except the Glee lady, and I don't watch Glee. After listening to a few bars of the Black Eyed Peas, I remembered why I've never bought any of their CDs. So, I hit the remote mute button, went into the kitchen and opened the 'fridge to get a fresh soda, then went off to the bathroom. I am certain I was not the only one in the U.S. who did just that.

When i was a young lad the nuns told me to hum very softly, not sing aloud. Someone should have told CA the same. However, the half-time show was even worse--no wonder we are becoming a 3rd world counrty!

When i was a young lad the nuns told me to hum very softly, not sing aloud. Someone should have told CA the same. However, the half-time show was even worse--no wonder we are becoming a 3rd world counrty!

"Aguilera completely dissed both the ramparts and the fact that they were gallantly streaming."

No, you did. You have dissed the ramparts and must apologize.

You remember sentence analysis from school? Please go read the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner. It is the "broad stripes and bright stars" on the flag (the song is about the flag you know) that were "gallantly streaming."

Not the ramparts. Ramparts do not stream unless one is hallucinating, or perhaps if a nuclear weapon has gone off nearby.

Hint: the song is about the flag surviving a battle at a fort, so maybe a rampart is some sort of fortification right? Bigger hint: use a dictionary if you don't know what a rampart is. Giant hint in the internet age: google > "define: rampart".

Why did media company hire Christina Aguilera as a sex-symbol for her performance of the National Anthem?! Number rule one - never hire sexy blonde-hair women for the fame purpose! We knew that blonde hair women are bimbo and dumb!

"It's a shame she botched the words, but if you recall, Obama botched the oath of office, and we let him be President anyway."

***********

Not exactly, Benson. Justice Roberts botched the oath, and Obama was in effect forced to repeat the wrong words. In fact, Roberts' mistakes (yes, he messed up more than once) were so bad that he and Obama had to repeat the oath at the White House later to ensure that Obama was legally the President. Roberts also apologized for his screw up.

Why can't the clowns sing the song as it is written instead of making it all about themselves. They have no respect, and should play no part in things. It's like a vocal rendition of flag burning. I agree with several other posts; get rid of these fools and let the audience sing it.

As a retired member of the Army I was insulted, embarrassed and discussed with the way Christina Aguilera destroyed the national anthem. Not only did she mess up the melody of the song but she couldn't even remember to correct words. Such a performance is an insult to me, to this country and to every member of the armed forces that wears a uniform in defense of this country.

"It's a shame she botched the words, but if you recall, Obama botched the oath of office, and we let him be President anyway."

***********

Not exactly, Benson. Justice Roberts botched the oath, and Obama was in effect forced to repeat the wrong words. In fact, Roberts' mistakes (yes, he messed up more than once) were so bad that he and Obama had to repeat the oath at the White House later to ensure that Obama was legally the President. Roberts also apologized for his screw up.

I don't care about the lyrics, but she just isn't a good singer. She sounded bad. But, not as bad as The Black Eyed Peas - who were just horrible - no talent, no voices no nothing. That was the worst half time "entertainment" I ever saw.

Ms. Chaney, first of all you can't diss ramparts, what the heck? Also ramparts certainly don't gallantly stream, nor does the Star Spangled Banner imply they do. Does anyone in America even understand the lyrics to the national anthem? The phrase "gallantly streaming" is linked to a previous clause in the song that begins "whose broad stripes and bright stars." It's talking about the flag! A rampart is an item of architecture, it doesn't stream. Where is your dictionary?

I don't think they should write Christina Aguilera that huge paycheck she was expecting. If you can't remember the words to the national anthem by her age you never knew it to begin with or feel it from the heart & don't deserve the honor of singing it or being paid for messing it up.

Personally, I think that in the future they should ask all the military personnel present at the game to stand up and allow them to sing the anthem. They're the ones who defend our freedom and they deserve that honor. I'm sure they wouldn't mess up the words. Following the anthem should be a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives serving our country.

Not at all surprising that she's too stupid to sing the National Anthem with the right words, much less the way it should be sung. I put Christina Aguilera right up there with Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan, and Miley Cyrus and her tattoos. Must have been all that make-up interfering with neural activity. I'm sure the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers could have done better.

I thought she ad-libbed the botched line pretty smoothly. It's a pretty common mistake. Even I get the two lines mixed up, though I've heard the anthem countless times and have a good memory for most things.

Musically, I thought her rendition was very good. People expecting her to sing it "as written" should keep in mind that the music as written is a pretty unimaginative military hymn. Putting some artistic flourish in it is not disrepectful, but in fact highly respectful, since you're putting some soul and effort into it. I'm sure Christina can read sheet music and sing scales. She sings the "wrong" pitch for the same reason jazz musicians play the "wrong" notes.

Hit all the right notes??? Are you kidding? She might have hit every note once in that mess, but she also added a bunch that weren't supposed to be there, and missed several more. Anyone with pride in their country that exceeds their (unjustified) pride in themselves would do their best to sing the song as it was written, instead of singing like some deluded American Idol wannabe trying to impress the judges with their ability to vocally improvise "runs," and failing miserably - the mark of an amateur.

it should be with pride one knows the lyrics to our Anthem. it saddens me when a camera pans an event to see the rich, famous, olympian, whomever flub up the anthem. It is a sad commentary.
Christina should issue a heart felt apology to the service members first of all. This could create a dialogue on being citizens once again, which was once the aim of this country instead of consumers.

Has to be on of the absolute worst super bowl half time programs ever performed. Seen every year they get longer and worse. Go back to the college marching bands. At least they do a better job for a lot less money.

Hey NFL are you listening? Christina and Macy Gray rank up there with the worst renditions of the national anthem i ever heard. Put down the video game and pick up a book once in a while you would know what a rampart is.

I know it's her style of singing but she made about 17 note changes while singing "wave" in "...banner yet wave." I couldn't stop thinking of Mya Rudolf's ridiculous singer on SNL.

And while Aguilara's lyric mistake was distracting. It was topped by the horrid sound mixing during halftime. The Black-eyed Peas were practically singing acapella. Someone in the sound truck must have lost their job tonight.

Wow, so many of you like to talk about how patriotic you are and how Aguilera botched the words and that she should apologize, and how she should know the words, and how she was a bad example of the U.S., then you go on the most hurtful, hateful, name-calling, ranting rhetoric - talk about bad examples. Also, I can bet not one of you can sing the entire song. I mean the ENTIRE song, or that you even know that there are 3 more verses. Yah...your real good patriotic Americans. Shame on you.

As a veteran of 2 US military branches I was not bothered at all by Aguilera's performance of the national anthem. There are so many things infinitely more troublesome than an entertainer's variance, whether intentional or not, from the "one true way". Goodness knows we have heard much worse. If you are truly offended, embarrassed, and appalled by this woman's rendition-feel free to do something real about it rather than bluster and whine. Teach kids how to sing it yourself just exactly the way you feel it should be done. Demonizing Aguilera for this is a ridiculous frippery.

I will say to those folks who posted "sing it as written" -- do you know where we found the melody we use for our National Anthem? It was swiped from "To Anacreon in Heaven," composed in the 18th century and used by a British gentlemen's society. Check out the lyrics sometime.

I don't mind any version of the anthem, whether jazz or gospel or a capella, as long as it's performed in the proper spirit using the proper words.

I beg to differ, Jen Chaney. Not only did Christina Aguilera not sing the right words, her arrangement was deplorable, and her singing was caterwauling rather than singing. Being a professional singer myself, Christina sang embarrassingly awful. It was most painful to see and hear. The throat tension and grating on the cords from overblowing should embarrass her and anyone who advises her about her singing.

I beg to differ, Jen Chaney. Not only did Christina Aguilera not sing the right words, her arrangement was deplorable, and her singing was caterwauling rather than singing. Being a professional singer myself, Christina sang embarrassingly awful. It was most painful to see and hear. The throat tension and grating on the cords from overblowing should embarrass her and anyone who advises her about her singing.

You can't ad lib some things. When the Chief Justice flubbed the oath they had to redo it. Do it right and with dignity or don't do it at all. It is a solemn national hymn. This star/specatcle thing has gone too far.

It would be the unforgivable if a mechanic botched a brake job... a doctor, a surgery... an attorney, a trial... christina is supposed to be a professional singer, and the the lyrics notes and pitch are the tools of her trade... the nfl should demand a refund.

Why don't you holier-than-thou's just get over it. She had the heart to give her best in front of the world. If you are better (and brave enough), just do it. If you don't like the NFL's choices, then buy them out and fix it. Remember, it's just entertainment.

I'm tired of the knuckle headed pop stars that are horrible live. Get someone who knows the lyrics. And for God's sake- if you want theatrics to drive a halftime show get KISS or Alice Cooper- because this was just plain schlock.

The singers who jazz up the melody of our national songs or don't know the words needn't EVER be asked to do it again. It's so disgusting when they add their fancy trills and other additions, especially to the basic national anthem. It sounds almost sacrilegious!

It should never be ok to get the words wrong, and pretending that a nice singing voice can excuse it is completely stupid. The writer of the article is as dumb as the moron singer who can't get the words right for a song we learn in kindergarten... Idiots, and by the way her singing sucks

It was a terrible rendition poorly sung by a 2nd rate lounge act. What's the point? I watched a game in a bar with patrons ages 24 to 60. Each and every one thought she stunk. Who were the NFL trying to reach with this wench?

Oldgeezer1 said it with the first comment. Forgetting the words is really not that bad of a mistake. It happens. The problem I have is that the tune absolutely butchered by her vocal gymnastics. Stop trying to "entertain" us with our National Anthem. It shouldn't be a tune that people use to draw attention to themselves. There seem to be few moments in our country these days where we feel unified. Instead of singing the song "at" us, why not perform it as written, like a march with a steady cadence so that the crowd can join in and sing it together?

Disrespectful....Ms Aguilera did no one proud...this is a song to honor our nation, our nation's fighters...it is a song that belongs to everyone, a song that we all like to sing.....it isn't a broadway joke or a roll n roll rant or a jazzy jive......and how does anyone get to be her age and not know the words to the national anthem....

The National Anthem can be a difficult song to sing but its difficulty is no excuse for botching it. A military or college choir is far better suited to singing the song properly and giving it the respect it deserves. Xtina should have sung America the Beautiful because her voice is far better suited to that (recall how well Ray Charles and others have done with it). The chick from Glee...not so much. Perhaps she should have sung the National Anthem instead.

And yes, there were folks in the audience who heard the errors and whose faces showed they realized what they heard was wrong. Watch the video and look at the faces of the soldiers, the guy in the black jacket, and several of the players as the cameras panned.

Hopefully, next year, we do better. But we probably won't because then there's nothing to talk about after the game talk wears out. Who remembers the teams and the score the year of Janet Jackson's nip slip, when Billy Joel's auto-tune tuned out, etc.

Every few years or so someone at the Super Bowl botches the Star Spangled Banner, which is no surprise as it was originally a British drinking song sung by high-pitched drunkards. Now, I thought we were against drug and alcohol abuse, so I'm not going to diss anyone - even a professional - who has trouble with it.

For those who said something like... "Oh my God, she made a mistake. You NEVER made a mistake? Get over it. She made a mistake. It happens."

Christina Aguilera is a paid professional singer. She was not some random person chosen off the street yesterday and who has to ascend nervously to the podium to sing something they were not prepared for.

She is performing at one of the most important events of the year. Undoubtedly, she and her management team knew about this months ago, or at least weeks ago. Even if it was only days ago, she had the time to practice and prepare many many times. Her manager would, if they were responsible, been concerned that her performance looked good for her, and was delivered properly.

When you are part of a professional team doing something like performing at the Super Bowl, sending up missiles into space, or managing billion dollar mortgage funds, there are no excuses for failure. You either correct the mistake, forfeit payment, or accept other consequences.

Maybe it's not a big deal in the end really, but it's just as unforgivable as your stone mason engraving the wrong words on the capitol building cornerstone.

Maybe she forgot the lyrics because she was shocked by the players on both sides who looked bored out of their steroid-shrunken brains.

Brett Keisel had his fingers hooked in the neck of his jersey. Others just looked ticked off that they had to wait.

All that patriotic chest-thumping in the pre-game but most players couldn't figure out you put your hand over your heart during the National Anthem. Even as the crowd roared for the Marines standing at attention in Afghanistan. I'd forget the lyrics too.

It is shocking to see so much mean-spirited pea-brained hatred vented against someone who did their best -- in fact gave an outstanding performance -- to sing their country's "Team Song" with great passion. I noticed the camera picking out eyes of players and others moved to tears of patriotism. Miss Aguilera is an extremely talented singer who did a marvelous job of rendering an very difficult tune.
As for complaining that she is just a "sexpot", you ought recall that the original British words for the tune were bawdy and praised boozing and screwing.
Despising someone out of jealousy is neither patriotic nor American.

Can anyone tell me why "artists" need to add themselves into our National Anthem. It's not about them, it's about our Country that allows the freedoms that the world envies. And While CA has the talent to do many things, there is such a thing as modesty and humility. Have some class and sing with an awe of how others died to defend your freedoms.

As a veteran of 2 US military branches I was not bothered at all by Aguilera's performance of the national anthem. There are so many things infinitely more troublesome than an entertainer's variance, whether intentional or not, from the "one true way". Goodness knows we have heard much worse. If you are truly offended, embarrassed, and appalled by this woman's rendition-feel free to do something real about it rather than bluster and whine. Teach kids how to sing it yourself just exactly the way you feel it should be done. Demonizing Aguilera for this is a ridiculous frippery.

What!!!???... "she hit all the right notes." Ms. Chaney, are you kidding? I dare say she didn't hit or sustain a single note correctly. She doesn't have the vocal talent to sing the National Anthem; that's why she, and most pop singers like her, sing the way they do. I don't blame her as much as I do the powers that be that selected her. Whoever they are, I hope they learned a lesson and next time will choose some one with true vocal talent.

Why, oh why, does every celebrity singer feel the need to bend and contort the notes of our national anthem? They have recording contracts and have every opportunity to make "original" music if they want to. But leave the anthem alone! It's not a pop song. You're not going to win a songwriting award for it. The most beautiful renditions of it are those sung by pure, clear, confident voices of singers who take their time, let the words have their effect, and who KNOW THE WORDS. Geez, carry a cheat sheet or use a teleprompter if you have to. It is not acceptable to fumble the words of the national anthem. Especially if you're being paid to sing it, essentially, in front of the entire world. Seriously, there are people in other countries who know the US national anthem better than many people in the US. That's embarrassing. And this is coming from someone who generally likes Christina Aguilera. And now let me move on to the Black Eyed Peas. That was truly ubearable and embarrassing. Fergie sounded like she was hopped up on acid or like she had swallowed acid, or possibly both. And if I have to hear that "I've Got a Feeling" song one more time, I may just puke myself. Seriously, NFL? You can't do any better? That group has probably performed that song at every other high-profile national event in the past 2 years. The NFL really couldn't put something original and relevant together?

It's unbelievable that for a Super Bowl appearance CA can't remember 8 lines to the Star Spangled Banner. Don't you learn this tune in Kindergarten? Here's another look at the botched lyrics - http://christinaaguileranationalanthem.com - way to go Christina!

Compare this to Whitney Houston's singing of our national anthem. Whitney's was uplifting and inspirational. I was never more moved. Christina's was an act of self-indulgence. It left me shocked and feeling insulted! I hope they learn from this and get it right next year!

I sent you the linke earlier on how one girl, CHARICE, delivered the national anthem the best ever. As a bonus, she also sang God Bless America during inauguration. Take a listen to that also. Or copy link to address bar

This is an example of the reason our Country is going down the tubes. We let actors/actresses perform at patriotic events that should be handled by military personnel. Military bands are a striking, heart wrenching representation of their brothers/sisters who are representing us abroad. Our "showboating" will be the death of our country! We are a country of so many freedoms that we don't offer any discipline. We all know what happens when there are no disciplines, only freedom!! Have any of you ever raised a kid? Give me a break! The U.S. is a laughing stock! We've proved it to the WORLD by allowing someone to represent us in singing our National Anthem and not knowing the words!!!!

Please get someone who can sing the national anthem correctly in the future.
Get a traditional singer, like a Faith Hill or Harry Connick, Jr to sing it.
Enough of these interpretations and missed lyrics.

She is one of my favorite singers, I think she is better than Beyonce,Alicia, Riannah, all of them, but she sure as hell butchered our Anthem, from now on, can we have an American sing the Song, we know the words and know not to scream the song.Enough of the ethnic BS.

Actually she didn't just "diss" one line, she got totally lost, tried to find her place at a prior place, sang her way back into her the verse and still couldn't remember it, then just skipped ahead. I'll bet that never happened to her just singing the anthem - but she was out there performing and it was what she wanted to perform, the new twist she wanted to give it, that likely tripped her up.

For you kiddies who obviously don't know - our national anthem was a poem written aboard a British ship in the harbor where Francis Scott Key was taken prisoner. He actually hailed the flag at sunset (twilight's last gleaming) when they played taps. Now he's on deck a British ship in the Harbor watching the British bomb our fort, watching as they bob up and down the waves (watching o'er the ramparts) to see if the colonists lower the flag... surrendering the fort... and each time a bomb explodes he sees the flag still flying and he is moved at the bravery of his countrymen who took the pounding all night and never surrendered.

It was a poem, not a song. We made it into our national anthem for the lyrics, not the tune we added to it; so yes, it is important to get the lyrics; and it is important to understand the lyrics, and FYI; there are four stanzas to the national anthem; and it gets into the political right to fight for independence... google it!

I would have to agree, if Ur hired to sing the National Athem U should sing it correctly. They have plenty of time to rehearse before the event. If she was singing one of her many songs do U think she would forget the words to that?? I would like to commit on jamesKim99 comment on the statement U made on how "sad" it was the players, coaches, fans, and soldiers didn't even know she forgot the words, how do U know they didn"t know? For Ur information if U had been more observant U would've seen that the camera stayed focus on one of GB players because he did noticed she forgot the words.. U idiot!!!

"Reaming?" I mean, "reaming". Are we sure she 'botched' it?
Interpretation is one thing and Hendrix's was terrific.
This was... um... not.
And the Super Bowl is NOT Woodstock, either.
Time and place... know thy audience.
"Reaming?"
Just shaking my head in wonderment that this is OK.

The comments on this post are disgusting, represent all the bad people all over the world view america as, saying things like n-wording it up, yea thats cool lets be racist, saying a sexy blond should never sing the national anthem and calling her a skank, hating on women too heaven forbid an attractive woman could ever be classy...people make mistakes even famous one so put the hate away. Extremely disappointed in the ugliness being shown..

I believe that people all make mistakes, but this one is oh so unforgiveable! I myself, and probably every man and woman in the US Armed Services just hung our heads in shame that someone who is supposed to represent our country in singing our national anthem, can't even remember the words to the song that our country was founded on. my brother in law is currently serving over seas to fight to keep our country SAFE and FREE. I believe we should honor those people who are and have served with respect for our country. not knowing the words to the National Anthem is only the beginning.

I could not believe the result of the WJ poll on this topic, only 68% of them voted for the "Anthem is always need to sing correctly" (total votes 38K). I have never so paralyzed by the dumbness of the people. What a sad for this great country..

Holy Guantanamo, there must be something Freudian about Americans' inability to sing their national anthem correctly any longer. Like visions of their friend, Hosni Mubarak, standing in front of a fluttering American flag creates such cognitive dissonance that it's hard to remember the words and sing them at the same time.

Maybe it's just time for a new national anthem. Something more appropriate for a nation sliding into the maw of totalitarianism where refusal to publicly parrot the party line means getting threatened with assault by jack booted thugs.

For the sake of my country, I am incredibly embarrassed and even angry. Not that I could really give a damn about football... but it's being watch by people all over the world. The super bowl has [unfortunately] come to symbolise a lot for America... and the most honourable and glorious part of the entire event, that of the singing of our National Anthem, was completely botched. But I guess that's what happens when you leave it to an outdated mediocre pop icon to be the voice of this damn country. It's just one more indicator of what we're letting our home land succumb to: ineptitude.

There ought to be a law. Only the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or the Navy choir or the crowd itself should be allowed to sing the anthem. It's not a a blues, rock, jazz or country composition - it's the national anthem. It shouldn't fall victim to interpretation. As for "Could we have done it any better so give her a break." comments. What kind of excuse for poor taste is that? Personally no, I couldn't have done it better. But all of us here can name more qualified people to sing it respectfully, movingly and even musically. There's such a thing as too much freedom: flag burning and national anthem butchery are two examples.

@bloggersvilleusa: You said in reply to someone else, "You've made an even bigger error than anything Aguilera did. You CANNOT sing it "the way it was wrote" (sic) because it was written as a poem and was not originally set to music."

You are the one who is wrong. It was written as a poem, titled "The Defense of Fort McHenry." However, Francis Scott Key puplished it with instructions that it be sung to the very tune which it is sung to today. So while it was written as a poem, it was always intended to be sung.

This was nude Sunday for her when one day out of the week she runs around the house all day naked. Being at the Superbowl screwed things up for her... she had to wear clothes which made her lose her train of thought.

I love it whenever someone talks about the proper way to sing the Star-Spangled Banner. As jgoldbe4 mentioned, the melody for our national anthem is stolen from the drinking song "To Anacreon in Heaven," which includes such touching lines as: "I'll lend you my name and inspire you to boot, And besides I'll instruct you like me, to intwine, The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine" and my personal favorite "The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids, From Helion's banks will incontinent flee."

All this hatred is horrible...people are acting like they have never made mistakes themselves as if they are perfect. It seems no one practices the old saying "if you cant say something nice, dont say anything at all" I'm sure she was nervous, just because she is a performer doesn't mean that she does not get nervous. Was she supposed to stop and do it over again, no, she did what just about any performer would likely have done, just kept on going and do the best they can. Someone posted that they were not even a fan of hers but gives her credit for not being one of the highly spoken about entertainers that are on drugs or going to jail or going crazy and shaving their hair off. This is why the world is wrong today...instead of giving people credit for the things that they are doing, whether done right or not, they are criticizing and probing everything wrong. People should be ashamed to just harp on what she did wrong and how her voice sounded if your not a fan, even if it was perfect you would still sound your mouths off anyways. It is a very important part of the pregame but it was a mistake I'm know if she could she would rewind erase and redo. Grow up people there are worst things in life that she could have done wrong. This world is going down hill because of all the negativity around it. Get over it!!!!!

Too many people currently try to "customize" the national anthem by changing the melody, and adding excessive runs. I can appreciate tasteful deviations such as Whitney Houston's 1991 Superbowl rendition, but this Christina Aguilrea version, I find disrespectful. I can see an ordinary US citizen making a mistake with the lyrics, but she's a professional who has been performing this since she was a child. I want the NFL to clean up this absurdity for future performances. I would rather they just have an instrumental rendition by a military band.

the people from the so called entertaiment business cater to the whiners and fellow travellers. whenever these fools perform our national anthem it is part of the act. not knowing the words is part of it and the warbling shows their disdain. do they pay these people?

MY GOD how does Christina Aguilera still have a show biz career?! She kicks off the new year with the awful, insufferable movie BURLESQUE and then stinks up the great state of Texas with the worst national anthem performance since Rosanne Barr butchered the song at a San Diego Padres game 20 years ago.

Christina screams, screeches, shouts, warbles, and trills incoherently before crashing the 7-octave sound barrier and screwing up the lyrics.

Memo to Christina: you are NOT Maria Callas or even Mariah Carey, so please stop making noise like a rabid cat caught in a 16-wheeler's tail pipe!

I note with some pleasure that this article had to be corrected to "reflect a more accurate description" of our national anthem. Apparently the Washington Post isn't any better with our national anthem than Christina Aguilera is.

All they need to do is hire the right singer, Problem Solved. My suggestion would be the Get Jackie Evancho to sing it. She sings it right! This year would have been great, because she's a Pittsburgh native!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=278m8hZSt6Q

This was when she was 9. She's now almost 11, and her Christmas Album released November 16, 2010 sold over 1,100,000 copies and was platinum Certified. Not too bad for a little girl who won't be 11 until April!

I'm still working on which was worse, the national anthem or those dreadful Black Eyed Peas. What's w/ the good looking white chick trying to sound like she's from the 'hood? I understand that they have a lot of fans; I'm just working on why.

Every singer who tries to "jazz up" or "soulify" the national anthem screws it up. It's a beautiful song with a difficult range to sing- we should have opera quality singers who can sing it properly, annunciate and remember lyrics.

Every singer who tries to "jazz up" or "soulify" the national anthem screws it up. It's a beautiful song with a difficult range to sing- we should have opera-quality singers who can sing it properly, annunciate and remember lyrics.

Just because she's rich and famous does not make her any less human. Ok, so she botched a portion of the song, did anyone die? has America continued? When people find this kind of thing to rant and rave about, it really goes to show how much of a life they DO NOT have! Get over yourselves, she was great, and like everyone else (including you) is not perfect.

CA can't sing, even if she knows the right words.
The Black Eyed Peas and the others were also awful during half-time. The only 'good' part of the half-time show was the light show on the field dancers.

I'm so tired of these egotistical artists trying to put their "spin" on our National Anthem. With Aguilera's voice, she could have performed the song beautifully. Instead, she literally butchered it, forgetting the words in the process. Next time, please get someone who will perform the song the way it was intended. Last night, it was almost unrecognizable. You don't screw around with the National Anthem.

Cut her some slack folks, I imagine she'll be waking up with a hangover, but if you get some average joe off the street, I doubt they'll get all the words right on the first go around. It was a case of stage fright.

What's more sad than her fluffing the lyrics? Her vocal gymnastics RUINING the song! Not since Whiney Houston over sang it has a "singer" butchered it soooooo badly! Why can't singers just sing the f*&^ing song! Lea Michelle from Glee (which I don't watch) gave a lovely rendition of "God Bless America" without the unnecessary selfish showiness of Aguilera. Have some respect! It's our national anthem!

Christina got her start in music at the age of twelve singing the Star Spangled Banner at professional sporting events. She's sang the anthem more than most, including games 6 and 7 of last year's NBA Finals. People have off days and make mistakes. What's the big deal?

Watch her rendition from game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals (YouTube). She sang the botched line perfectly, with an excellent performance.

Lets all stop buy her records that will teach her to sing our song the correct way if not go back to her country

Posted by: greyhoundrick
-------------------------------------------
Her country? Do you mean Staten Island, or New York, where she was born to a US Army Sergeant? And exactly how many of her records do you own?

It's not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last. One solution would be to have a prompter for the singer. We all make mistakes every day, just not in front of millions of people. Forgive and forget, you'll have a better day.

Scary how many people out there claim to be deeply offended because a pop star flubbed the national anthem; less scary, though, than those arguing that only military bands should be permitted to perform the anthem in the future. The Star Spangled Banner belongs to us all, CA included. It may be difficult for some to remember, what with the military flyovers and tributes to our service men and women, but the Super Bowl is not a government sponsored event equal in stature to a presidental inauguration. It's football, people.

God bless anybody who attempts to sing the Star Spangled Banner in public, but especially to a Super Bowl audience of millions. Christina's efforts were soulful and heartfelt, and beautifully captured the longing of the the most important line of all, "Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

God bless anybody who attempts to sing the Star Spangled Banner in public, but especially to a Super Bowl audience of millions. Christina's efforts were soulful and heartfelt, and beautifully captured the longing of the the most important line of all, "Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

God bless anybody who attempts to sing the Star Spangled Banner in public, but especially to a Super Bowl audience of millions. Christina's efforts were soulful and heartfelt, and beautifully captured the longing of the the most important line of all, "Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

What happened with the National Anthem, was a sad commentary on just how unimportant such things are to so many today. I will bet there are 4 out of 10 people who can't get all of the words to the Stars Spangle Banner right. Still when the chips are down, the US Marine band or the US Army Band would have got it right the first time.

As for the halftime show, I thought what some viewers did at the beginning of the show, but as it went on, it got better, in fact much better, and by the end it was quite good. In fact, I thought it was one of the best shows I have seen in years at the SB. Surely much better than either The Who show, where those old rockers looked like they had just came from the local old folks home, or the Janet Jackson debacle a few years back.

What happened with the National Anthem, was a sad commentary on just how unimportant such things are to so many today. I will bet there are 4 out of 10 people who can't get all of the words to the Stars Spangle Banner right. Still when the chips are down, the US Marine band or the US Army Band would have got it right the first time.

As for the halftime show, I thought what some viewers did at the beginning of the show, but as it went on, it got better, in fact much better, and by the end it was quite good. In fact, I thought it was one of the best shows I have seen in years at the SB. Surely much better than either The Who show, where those old rockers looked like they had just came from the local old folks home, or the Janet Jackson debacle a few years back.

What happened with the National Anthem, was a sad commentary on just how unimportant such things are to so many today. I will bet there are 4 out of 10 people who can't get all of the words to the Stars Spangle Banner right. Still when the chips are down, the US Marine Band or the US Army Band would have got it right the first time.

As for the halftime show, I thought what some viewers did at the beginning of the show, but as it went on, it got better, in fact much better, and by the end it was quite good. In fact, I thought it was one of the best shows I have seen in years at the SB. Surely much better than either The Who show, where those old rockers looked like they had just came from the local old folks home, or the Janet Jackson debacle a few years back.

It seems like year after year the organizers intentionally pick someone who will massacre the anthem. It's disgusting. Francis must've been rolling over in his grave while Aguilera screeched out her rendition.

And to those who say give her credit for getting up there and doing it in front of millions of viewers...please. She's an entertainer used to performing in front of a crowd and usually wearing a lot less.

Whoever hired this bimbo should be fired. I'm sure any one of the military bands would've jumped at the chance to perform.

You got the basics right. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner from a British Ship - but we were not "Colonists" and yes it is a BIG deal.

The Battle of Baltimore was not fought during the Revelutionary War. It was fought during the War of 1812 specifically during the summer of 1814 toward the close of the War. Some have coined the War of 1812 as the second revolutionary war, but the ensuing battles had little to do with the revolution. To learn more about the War of 1812 - the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner I suggest visiting Baltimore visit Ft. McHenry, where the flag so waved, the Star Spangled Banner Flag House were the 32' x 40' banner was sewn, and the Maryland Historical Society where the Star Spangled Banner lyrics are on display.

I will also suggest that if anyone is interest to learn more about the melody - The melody Francis Scott Key used for his song was the popular English tune known as “To Anacreon in Heaven”. Anacreon was an ancient Greek poet noted for his praise of love and wine. Written about 1775 by John Stafford Smith, the tune was originally the “constitutional song” of the Anacreontic Society, a gentlemen's music club in London.

One must really read the words to appreciate the mindset of the people (Americans) in the early beginnings of this country. Not so prudish as you may think.

You got the basics right. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner from a British Ship - but we were not "Colonists" and yes it is a BIG deal.

The Battle of Baltimore was not fought during the Revelutionary War. It was fought during the War of 1812 specifically during the summer of 1814 toward the close of the War. Some have coined the War of 1812 as the second revolutionary war, but the ensuing battles had little to do with the revolution. To learn more about the War of 1812 - the Battle of Baltimore and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner I suggest visiting Baltimore visit Ft. McHenry, where the flag so waved, the Star Spangled Banner Flag House were the 32' x 40' banner was sewn, and the Maryland Historical Society where the Star Spangled Banner lyrics are on display.

I will also suggest that if anyone is interest to learn more about the melody - The melody Francis Scott Key used for his song was the popular English tune known as “To Anacreon in Heaven”. Anacreon was an ancient Greek poet noted for his praise of love and wine. Written about 1775 by John Stafford Smith, the tune was originally the “constitutional song” of the Anacreontic Society, a gentlemen's music club in London.

One must really read the words to appreciate the mindset of the people (Americans) in the early beginnings of this country. Not so prudish as you may think.

I noticed the goof---------but, let's face it. It is a very hard song to sing and get the words right.

Besides, I was too disgusted at the way she sang it-adding notes and trills and etc.,. Why not just sing it as it is written. Also, why have someone sing it. Let the whole crowd get in the act and sing it---------it is much more emotional.

The National Anthem is NOT as damned lounge act in a third rate Vegas hotel.

Next Super Bowl (or World Series, or Final Four, or whetever,) get a band from any of the service academies, play the song with dignity, and listen to it being sung by 100,000 people...who know the damned words!

Aguilera's messing up the lyrics was the least of the sins perpetrated last night. The number of professional singers who have gotten lost singing the national anthem is legend. Am I the only American who remembers Robert Goulet?

Aguilera's whole style of singing was the ear-shattering nuisance here. And she's hardly alone in doing this, either. What a travesty and what a comment on the caliber of modern American mass culture celebrities that these mediocre idiots believe their hyped-up, overwrought version is better than singing the anthem the way it is supposed to be sung. Ditto, for the suits that hire them.

And the Black Eyed Peas halftime performance? Don't get me started. The performers and their masters in those executive suites revealed more about themselves last night than they ever realized. The mask came off and showed the whole lot of them for the over-paid, mediocre, worthless lot they are. The entertainment world and the media that hypes it have become an incestuous, self-sustaining culture without any objective merit. Hollywood's version of Wall Street corporations and their worthless sub-prime mortgages, derivatives, and credit default swaps. A lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

The National Anthem is NOT as damned lounge act in a third rate Vegas hotel.

Next Super Bowl (or World Series, or Final Four, or whetever,) get a band from any of the service academies, play the song with dignity, and listen to it being sung by 100,000 people...who know the damned words!

You want it sung right? Call on Martina McBride. She can pull it off better than anyone I have ever heard. And while we're on the subject of singing the National Anthem, one of the prerequisites to participating in the Olympics shoud be that every American entry MUST know the words so that when they are standing on the podium they don't look like a stooge. I don't see other countries' entrants acting that way.

Little doll's got the pipes to do it right STRAIGHT and besides getting the lyrics right should have shelved the Ortega y Gasset "soul mofo" dehumanizations, preferring rather to concentrate upon the octave jump on "free"; instead we got an almost Roseanne-like faux-soul massacre of the song, What a chance lost by someone really capable to do justice to and soar above the difficulties presented by our National Anthem. She needed that gig for her comeback from being in the shadow of co-Mouseketeuse Britney Spears, now gratefully along with real non-talent Justin Timberlake out of the spotlight. Unfortunately for this gifted post-kid, and fortunately for Francis Scott Key's impossible masterpiece, that's it for her. Bird had to hit the street bar-mitzvah cicuit and there is still a union call: that's where this talent is going, perhaps augmenting her appearance with Wendy's, Pandora's, Houston's or SaRenna's humongous bumpers. Taylor Wane can advise there. That's show business!

You want it sung right? Call on Martina McBride. She can pull it off better than anyone I have ever heard. And while we're on the subject of singing the National Anthem, one of the prerequisites to participating in the Olympics shoud be that every American entry MUST know the words so that when they are standing on the podium they don't look like a stooge. I don't see other countries' entrants acting that way.

I was eating dinner when I heard Christina's rendition of our national anthem. I commented at the time that it had to be one of the worst performances of our anthem that I had ever heard. A difficult song to sing at best, Christina not only played too much with the melody, she messed up the lyrics.

I agree with some other posts, the crowd should have sung the anthem. A choir of 100,000 voices would be awesome.

By the way, I had to remind some eating nearby that "America the Beautiful" was not our national anthem. Only in America!

Too bad...she has an amazing voice and she has done so much for others...I know she feels like crap. She isn't the first to screw up the Anthem...she won't be the last either. The error is forgivable...but if you're going to sing the anthem in front of literally hundreds of millions, you better bring it...all of it...and you better be prepared thoroughly.... Whitney Houston put the bar incredibly high in 91.

I think Christina should sing it again next year. Just like in football. When you need to restore confidence in a receiver who just dropped a catch...you go right back to him. I bet she would be truly humbled and amazing next year.

To you people who say that we should calm down about Christina's horrid rendition of our National Anthem because "it's just entertainment", I say HOW DARE YOU.

ANY performance of the National Anthem is NOT just entertainment. I don't care if it's sung at a high school basketball game, in the shower or by some bleached bimbo that bought her way to the "top of the charts" at the beginning of the Super Bowl. The National Anthem is about respect and dignity and showing our pride of our country and those who defend it and are proud to call it home. It is NOT an opportunity for some caterwauling hack to "make it their own" by sliding all over the melody and screaming it as loudly as you can.

Go to EPCOT at Disney World and listen to them sing it at the American pavilion. THAT will bring tears to your eyes and will inspire you to sing along with the performers. They are LEADING a chorus of patriotic voices that are paying tribute to their country.

The worst part of Christina's performance was her "Thank You" at the end. That proved, without a doubt, that she thought the performance was about her and showed that she had no idea what the meaning of her performance and the song should have been.

If you believe the words and all that they stand for, you won't forget them.

I am insulted and offended by Christina's intepretation.

ps. I have sung the National Anthem in a stadium (hockey games) twice. I stuck to the melody, kept the tempo reasonable and was proud of my performance, because I could hear the crowd singing with me.

Yes, I noticed it. No one else at my Super Bowl party did. For anyone who has never sang the national anthem for an event, it is one of the most intimidating, and difficult songs to do. I'd rather do an Opera in Chinese. That being said, she did a phenominal job covering the error without missing a beat. When I heard it, I was like...OH bleep...she's done...Of the people giving her a hard time 95% of you couldn't sing the whole song without someone singing with you. That said, she is a professional musician and should have had it down.

"She was nervous???" Seriously? We're not talking Jolene Schmuck singing at the local Pop Warner game... She's an international superstar for goodness sake. I bet she wouldn't forget the words to one of her songs!!!

She appeared to simply take if for granted that she knew it, barely practiced it, and screwed it up!

I soooo agree with earlier posters... Have a military service band play and the crowd sing... If you want to have a "twist", then have a combined band from all the service bands.... or even better, have a combined band from the service ACADEMIES?!?!?!

It's sad that she screwed up the words, but all of the hate, "skank" is way over the top. She is a star because the American public made her a star. Can she sing? Yes. Did she screw up the words? Yes. She isn't the first and won't be the last to screw up the words. So much self-righteousness in this world.

I do agree that the anthem would be best served by having military bands simply play out the words and the crowd sings along.

The greatest performance of the National Anthem still has to be Marvin Gaye's at an NBA all star. It was an interpreted version, but extremely well done, even if the song lasted longer than the game :)

Marvin Gaye sang it best.
He started so softly everyone shut up
to be able to hear him. Then he built
it with swelling pride so that by the time he got to "The Home of the Brave" the entire stadium was awash in patriotism.

If you want to know how to do it kids...
find Marvin's arrangement, it was the best!

They should have had the Chicago Blackhawks player who sang before each of the Chicago playoffs games sing. He did it correctly, the way it should be sung and didn't forget the words in either performance. The fact that he's a hockey player and NOT a "professional" singer would have made the performance even more touching.

Here are a couple ideas: 1. When you are hired to sing the national anthem do so in a stlye that will allow all who desire to to sing along respectfully. That would required cutting out all the stylistic embellishments designed to put the focus on you and not the anthem.
2. Write a contract that states if you don't sing the lyrics correctly or do so in a manner that precludes the audience from respectfully singing along, you void your contract and are not paid.

Christina has a great voice, but she missed an opportunity to garner the respect of an entirely new audience, if she had first gotten the words right and second, had broke the pattern that has become the norm and simply sung the song as it was intended to be sung.

Thank God the game was good. Christina Aguilera joined the Black-Eye Peas.....
outbased music Hollywood performance last night. Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, and Lee DeWyze could have sung better. Now every station will play her great rendition of the National Anthem.(what a great memory for her) Another blow to American Pride. Singers in other countries would never sing THEIR Ahthem as bad as Christina Aguilera did last night....for millions to watch.

Where is it written that the National Anthem can't be performed according to the way the artist feels it? It's their Anthem too! For all of you people trashing this young lady, GET OVER YOURSELVES!! I'd like to see any of you get up there and sing it in front of millions of people! IT'S A DAMN SONG!! Like it or not, THAT'S WHAT IT IS!!

i don't know what a rampart is and i don't think i want to ever know. there is a beauty in the mystery of the word. i know that there were ramparts at the twilight's last gleaming. but that's where i want it to end. sing!!!

Thank God the game was good. Christina Aguilera joined the Black-Eye Peas.....
outbased music Hollywood performance last night. Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, and Lee DeWyze could have sung better. Now every station will play her great rendition of the National Anthem.(what a great memory for her) Another blow to American Pride. Singers in other countries would never sing THEIR Ahthem as bad as Christina Aguilera did last night....for millions to watch.

Its bad enough with all the bullying going around,but to hear all your guys comments about how bad Christina A messed up the national anthem its just as bad as being a bully,grow up,things happen,i'm sure she didn't say to herself hey i'm going to mess up the national anthem when i sing it,we are only human,people make mistakes,yes even high paid singers make mistakes,only one person doesn't make mistakes and he is the high power.no one is perfect.there were plenty of fans and players with tears in there eyes when she was singing,so the song did touch people.,i guarantee not to many people there knew she messed up,again remember we are all only human and not PERFECT no matter how much money they get to perform.

Bad enought she couldn't recall the words, but screeching it at the top of her lungs practically made my ears bleed. She had a mic; no need to belt it, especially since she's no belter. Couldn't the NFL have enough respect for the anthem to hire a professionally trained singer, as opposed to a pop tart?

"However, before we have her drawn and quartered, let's step back and ask ourselves: Could I get up there and sing that incredibly important song in front of the ENTIRE NATION (guaranteed her biggest live audience EVER)? Could I just go on, knowing that I'd flubbed it (because you better believe she knew she'd flubbed it), or would I just drop the mic, start bawling like a baby, and run to find a boulder to hide under???"

This is her job, her career, she performs live for a living! Give her a break? She's been performing live for years, it's not as if they pulled someone off the streets to do this.

ps. I have sung the National Anthem in a stadium (hockey games) twice. I stuck to the melody, kept the tempo reasonable and was proud of my performance, because I could hear the crowd singing with me.
***
Holy crap. Get over yourself.

If you feel offended, then I believe there is something truly wrong with you.

I have sung everything to arias to rock a billy in a million different places, and guess what? Every once in a while, I forgot the words. Me forgetting the words to a songs doesn't make me any worse a singer. Forgetting the words to the Anthem doesn't make you any less a patriot.

Lets see my choices are Christina flubbing a WORD but CAN BLOW at the SB or Darius Rucker TOTALLY OFF KEY and HORRIBLE at the SB for my Buckeyes??? I'll take Christina any day but girlfriend don't try to be Whitney or Marvin Gaye. hahaha

Sometimes Christina does take the Beyonce like runs TOOOOO FAR trying to convince the public they can sing. hahaha The country band sounded GREAT at the BCS title game. Was JHud too busy? Just kidding I like Christina...she's my Tena Marie of the younger generation!!!

OK is it true that no singing J Lo is using AI to pimp more CDs....she needs P Diddy to PRETEND to sing again hahahaha

I noticed several of the players itching for the anthem to be over so they could play football. They came to play football and make money. You could make the argument that it's patriotic disrespect to mix the national anthem in with an event whose main purpose is to make gobs of money.

Superbowl Sunday is the busiest betting day in Nevada. I don't expect they sing the national anthem when they open a black jack or pai gow table.

Many of the self-proclaimed "English Majors" in here are just ignorant. You keep mentioning that ramparts don't stream...

Users: think_hard / chris111 (Who actually included a link on how to search Google for a definition) / slugnasty

If you look at the verse in question:

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming.

"were so gallantly streaming." does not describe the ramparts that they were watching over, but the broad stripes and bright stars of the flag they were watching.

If you need help with sentence diagrams, I am sure there are openings in Mrs. Smith's 9th grade English class or maybe even an Intro course at the local Community College.

My take-away here is, have yourself a great argument and bring the passion, but direct it properly. Your argument just sounds ridiculous when you speak without knowing topic. User: Daysman... You tried to talk sense, but... what can you do?

I'm not so sure it's an honest mistake. She's a professional - surely she rehearsed this to the nth degree. I'm betting she just didn't know what a "rampart" was and changed it around to be more "understandable".

Even if it is an honest mistake, it's still unforgiveable for a professional singer. A kid singing at the high school football game? Sure. I'd forgive the kid. A high-grossing, hit-generationg, professional singer who is a veteran of performing in front of a large audience? No.

I also agree with others who dislike the way the tune is warped by singers who want to use it to showcase how many different notes they can hit in a single word. I like a straight-up rendition.

I can excuse the mess-up in the lyrics more easily than the horrible changes to the melody and timing of the national anthem. Aren't there singing groups in the branches of the military who could sing the song as intended - to honor our country?

Lea Michele, however, did a fantastic job with America the Beautiful, so maybe next time just have her to the national anthem.

If you don't know the words, don't sing it. How about one of the military bands performing it like it should be done -- not like a nightclub lounge act.

I recall years ago Jose Feliciano totally screwed up the National Anthem before a world series game. Vets at a VA hospital threw their bedroom slippers at the TV screen. Nobody has heard of Jose since then.

Is the President of the United States just a man? Is Air Force One just a plane? Or are these things symbols of something much greater.

The National Anthem is not just a song. If the esteemed performers from 2 Live Crew took the National Anthem and overlayed it with, let's say, "Me So Horny!," would that be socially acceptable.

While it is their right, I am not sure I agree that the Super Bowl is the place to debut such an awesome version of our National Anthem.

It is two very different points that one should be able to sing this song how they want including whether or not they have the courage to do so or should the masses who expect that their National Anthem will be sung to them be forced to listen to this butchered version of a song that should be sung with reverence, respect and most of all, be sung properly.

I would love to see the officials, who have a job to do, start coloring up their performance on the field too. Maybe they could sing the penalties and if they screw it up, we could all just sympathize with the fact that they had a hard job to do and give them courage for taking the step onto the big stage and doing that job. After all there were no other qualified people to do it.

The words were wrong. But please? She didn't hit the right notes either. She was all over the place. That's not how the song goes. She added about 1000 more notes and it didn't make the song better. I like an artist as much as the next person, but she was just terrible. And it's a shame because she does have a great voice.

This place is proof positive that reading the comments section of any major newspaper is not good for your brain. Some popsinger makes an honest mistake and the racists, wingnuts, "music critics" and pseudo-intellectuals crawl out from under their rocks. Give it a rest people, she made a mistake. Get over yourselves.

In normal tempo, the anthem takes a little over a minute. With singers, more impressed with how they sound, and how long they can carry a note, it can take more than 2 minutes.

_____________

Once upone a time I worked for a minor league B-ball team, and we used to gamble on the length of the anthem each night -- Sometimes it got ridiculous.

By playing around with the tune, dragging out the notes, and adding their own perrsonal touches singers are (a) BORING their audiences who didn't come to hear them sing and (b) usually making a mess and joke of the national anthem.

I appreciate that the NFL wants to make the Super Bowl more of an event, but that's what that silly half-time show is for. When everyone's finally there let them watch what they came for - the game.

Are we the only country whose national anthem is about a flag being shredded by a battle? I for one think we should change the anthem to something about our country--like "America the Beautiful" or "America" both of which are about our country and have words that are understandable AND since they were written as songs--not a poem called "Defence of Fort McHenry" that was set to the most difficult meoldy to sing ever, people can sing them easily.

Geez. You would think the poor girl had done something unforgivable by missing a line in a song that is a pretty lousy song in both lyrics and melody to begin with. The biggest mistake was years ago in making this song our national anthem in the first place. American the Beautiful is a much more appropriate national anthem in every way. All the over-the-top outrage about Aguilera's little mistake is much ado about nothing by people who clearly have nothing much to do. Perhaps a cup of hot tea (in a flag-emblazoned cup with the slogan: America, Love it or Leave it) will help all those good patriots who were so deeply offended calm down and focus on their next ridiculous non-issue.

I'd just like to add any musician who performs a lot occasionally fluffs and note or lyric; it can be a case of nerves, or the fact that we're all human, not robots. Aguilera surely did NOT make mistakes in order to diss the Anthem, so she deserves to be cut some slack. No doubt she feels worse about this than any of the commenters here do (or should).

I agree with those who wish that national anthem singers would just sing it straight and quit messing around with all the funky extra notes and interpretive crap. But I'm quite sure that the NFL knew what they were getting when they hired her and that they had considerable control over the performance she delivered. They put Aguilera out there as the result of a conscious decision about what they thought the nation wanted.

That said, she made a mistake! A simple mistake, as any of us could have done. In front of zillions of people she botched one line of a song written in an archaic sentence structure and cadence that are not exactly natural to modern speakers (or singers). With so much at stake, why on earth would she do this intentionally?

Lighten up everybody and stop trying to read ulterior political motives into everything. Sometimes a mistake is just a mistake and not another manifestation of the broad liberal conspiracy.

Is the President of the United States just a man? Is Air Force One just a plane? Or are these things symbols of something much greater.

The National Anthem is not just a song. If the esteemed performers from 2 Live Crew took the National Anthem and overlayed it with, let's say, "Me So Horny!," would that be socially acceptable.

While it is their right, I am not sure I agree that the Super Bowl is the place to debut such an awesome version of our National Anthem.

It is two very different points that one should be able to sing this song how they want including whether or not they have the courage to do so or should the masses who expect that their National Anthem will be sung to them be forced to listen to this butchered version of a song that should be sung with reverence, respect and most of all, be sung properly.

I would love to see the officials, who have a job to do, start coloring up their performance on the field too. Maybe they could sing the penalties and if they screw it up, we could all just sympathize with the fact that they had a hard job to do and give them courage for taking the step onto the big stage and doing that job. After all there were no other qualified people to do it.

Hey! Here's a novel idea! How about singing the National Anthem the way it was written!?!? Sing it without personal interpretation and style! Sing it with dignity and respect! Her rendition was the worse I have ever heard! Let future "stars" sing it the way it was written!

Hey, at least her hair is straightend and Blonded - the First Lady and First Children only straighten theirs...

... Judeo-Christian White Supremacy still reins and not in vain...

------------------------------

"What is racism?

Racism is racial prejudice that has been incorporated into the activities and procedures of major institutions, corporations, social systems (such as those related to housing, education, and health), and other arenas of major social activity (such as politics, the media, finance, and banking). Racism serves both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans."

"...Psychologists have found that we put energy into various mechanisms that help us maintain our view of the world. For example, we can seek out and pay attention to information that supports our views. Evidence suggests that the More strongly we hold a stereotype, the more we tend to remember confirming information about the group. There is a kind of circular process here: For example, the more we believe stereotypes about gay men being effeminate, the more likely we will remember incidents which seem to support these views. We also discount or rationalize information that is contradictory to our beliefs. The Black person who is intelligent and articulate, the gay man who is not effeminate, or the Jewish person who is not pushy become exceptions to the rule, but the rule remains. And we may look more closely for grammatical mistakes in the Black person=s speech than in a White person=s; or that the Jewish person is especially clever in working his or her exploitive influence behind our back..."

"...the new racism describes a more elusive, political, almost abstract language of race which avoids blatantly negative racist statements in favor of political codewords and symbols. This new racism is partly based on a view of racial discrimination as being outdated and puts the onus of achievement and equality on African Americans and other ethnic minority people. If African Americans would, for example, stop clamoring for special treatment and simply work harder, they could achieve the American Dream. The idea is that it is African Americans= own deficiencies B whether they be greed, laziness, violence, and so on B that are the cause of their problems, not the history of slavery, segregation, discrimination, prejudice, and racism which is assumed to have come to an end...."
Excerpts from what was Written by ..., PhD
At the request of the American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate

At Least she doesn't teach a nation of children that their nation is "under God" while ommitting any reference to US being under supreme Law aka as the Constitution for the United States of America

at least she doesn't give Corporations all the rights of a "person" without any of the responsibilities e.g., to serve... as SCOTUS does

I don't believe she "sang" the song at all, but yelled most of the time and was off key at that! These so called singers need to get over themselves, and sing the song properly as it was written, with the right tempo! Quit trying to CHANGE IT! She reminded me of the fiasco Rosanne Barr made also yelling the song and disgracing our country a few years back!

Bring on the military to sing and play this song, they know it's proper words and beat!

Hey, at least her hair is straightened and Blonde-ed - the First Lady and First Children only straighten theirs...

... Judeo-Christian White Supremacy still reins and not in vain...

------------------------------

"What is racism?

Racism is racial prejudice that has been incorporated into the activities and procedures of major institutions, corporations, social systems (such as those related to housing, education, and health), and other arenas of major social activity (such as politics, the media, finance, and banking). Racism serves both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans."

"...Psychologists have found that we put energy into various mechanisms that help us maintain our view of the world. For example, we can seek out and pay attention to information that supports our views. Evidence suggests that the More strongly we hold a stereotype, the more we tend to remember confirming information about the group. There is a kind of circular process here: For example, the more we believe stereotypes about gay men being effeminate, the more likely we will remember incidents which seem to support these views. We also discount or rationalize information that is contradictory to our beliefs. The Black person who is intelligent and articulate, the gay man who is not effeminate, or the Jewish person who is not pushy become exceptions to the rule, but the rule remains. And we may look more closely for grammatical mistakes in the Black person=s speech than in a White person=s; or that the Jewish person is especially clever in working his or her exploitive influence behind our back..."

"...the new racism describes a more elusive, political, almost abstract language of race which avoids blatantly negative racist statements in favor of political codewords and symbols. This new racism is partly based on a view of racial discrimination as being outdated and puts the onus of achievement and equality on African Americans and other ethnic minority people. If African Americans would, for example, stop clamoring for special treatment and simply work harder, they could achieve the American Dream. The idea is that it is African Americans= own deficiencies B whether they be greed, laziness, violence, and so on B that are the cause of their problems, not the history of slavery, segregation, discrimination, prejudice, and racism which is assumed to have come to an end...."
Excerpts from what was Written by ..., PhD
At the request of the American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate

At Least she doesn't teach a nation of children that their nation is "under God" while omitting any reference to US being under supreme Law aka as the Constitution for the United States of America

at least she doesn't give Corporations all the rights of a "person" without any of the responsibilities e.g., to serve... as SCOTUS does

I wish the Star Spangled Banner could be sung as it was written. It is disrespectful to put your own 'flair' to the National Anthemn. Please, no more screaming females 'interpreting' a song that belongs to all of us.

I wish the Star Spangled Banner could be sung as it was written. It is disrespectful to put your own 'flair' to the National Anthemn. Please, no more screaming females 'interpreting' a song that belongs to all of us.

Posted by: amac3 | February 7, 2011 10:28 AM
==========================================
It was actually WRITTEN as a Poem!! NOT A SONG!! So it could NEVER be sung as it was written because it was NEVER WRITTEN to be sung!!

Christina Aguilera's performance was really awful - in not singing the words correctly but also making the song seem almost totally unrecognizable. She should have respected the song for both our country as well as for anyone listening to it. Being overly creative on the material was her downfall. Her "I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through." doesn't ring true as she wasn't being honest for someone who has "been singing the National Anthem since I was seven".

Once again, it's a SONG NOT a religous symbol!! You people really need to get lives!!
_________________

No, YOU really need to get a clue.

The Star-Spangled Banner is a song that symbolizes the nation that we (well, some of us) hold dear.

I suppose you consider the American flag just a three-colored piece of cloth, too.

Posted by: UponFurtherReview | February 7, 2011 10:41 AM |

______________________________________

Hear hear...

Posted by: hared | February 7, 2011 10:46 AM
===========================================
If you hold it so dear, then that's good for you! It's just NOT that serious to me!! Now if someone from another country was mocking it, then that's different! But for you guys to act as if she just stabbed the baby Jesus is ridiculous!!

nowthetruth said: "President Hussein Obama will go down in history as one of Americas smartest president."

I'm guessing you're being sarcastic, since you're calling the President by his middle name, which to ignorant folks is supposed to be some kind of insult.

But more importantly, could you explain how your comment has anything whatsoever to do with Christinia Aguilera making mistakes while singing the National Anthem? I'd love to hear why you think a political comment is relevant here.

She has her own shows where she can belt out, muck up, act up, but this is OUR National Anthem - show some respect for the military people there...why play around so you can get better reviews than the last "star." This whole show is not about sports...it is about money, money, money. Is Greed still that good?

The national anthem should be sung by the entire crowd. It's fine to have a song leader, but it should be sung as written. The performer in question seemed to enjoy the sound of her own voice, but we muted it in disgust. It was completely unlistenable.

I think the last time the anthem was sang well at a Super Bowl was when the Dixie Chicks sang it in 2003. They harmonized, yes, but they didn't alter the tempo, and were respectful of the material. I think the difference between them and Christina is that they "sang" the anthem, Christina "performed" it. (If you haven't heard the DC version, you can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU5AYcAhvyo)

Perhaps the Super Bowl could have members of the Armed Forces sing at future Super Bowls. There was a group of four Service Members who sang it at one of the playoff games and it was beautiful.

Yeah I don't think it's appropriate to have a single person be the focus of the national anthem. Just throw the words up on the jumbotron w/ a bouncing ball for the crowd to follow along, and no entertainer at the center of it all

Once again, it's a SONG NOT a religous symbol!! You people really need to get lives!!
_________________

No, YOU really need to get a clue.

The Star-Spangled Banner is a song that symbolizes the nation that we (well, some of us) hold dear.

I suppose you consider the American flag just a three-colored piece of cloth, too.

Posted by: UponFurtherReview | February 7, 2011 10:41 AM |

==========================================
It is when it's MADE IN CHINA!! Maybe you need to be more concerned about the fact that Our flag is made in China, than all of this venom directed at Christina Agullara!

If you hold it so dear, then that's good for you! It's just NOT that serious to me!! Now if someone from another country was mocking it, then that's different! But for you guys to act as if she just stabbed the baby Jesus is ridiculous!!

Posted by: Angryman
_____________________

*** Huh? That makes even less sense.

Why would you stand up to someone from another country who was mocking something you don't consider a big deal?

Angryman. Please. You are killing me here. While the White House was built as a house for the president, you cannot tell me it does not represent more than that. Our flag is just fabric, right? So we can do as we wish with it. It is just a piece of fabric.

People like you are the reason our country is failing in every way. Egotistic people who feel that everything is for themseleves and what they want rather than the greater good of the whole.

It is not for my to like or dislike the National Anthem just because it was a poem that was made into a song. It is our National Anthem. While may not have envisioned it as a song, that is what it became.

Let me ask you this. What is the difference between a park and a National Park? What is the difference between a monument and a National Monument? What is the difference between a treasure and the movie "National Treasure." Okay, that last one is a stretch. The difference is that some people a lot smarter and wiser than you or I felt that these gifts were worthy of some greater meaning and as such they set it aside and dignified it. So a National monumnet is not just a monument, and a National Park is not just a park and the National Anthem is not just a song... Not to those who care about more than just themselves.

Look deep and see if you can find better meaning in a man watching his country being attacked and being so inspired to write about how he felt seeing that symbol of his country still flying high. Or maybe you are right... He was just killing time writing a poem.

I think it's more about the NFL hiring the wrong person/people to sing the anthem. Christina Aguilera was only doing what she does...sing rather poorly and with vocal gyrations. I couldn't imagine a more unlikely singer for a Packers vs. Steelers game. How about next time the NFL gets some class and hires one of our military branches to either sing or play the anthem with some class rather than trying to entertain us. The entertainment is the game and the halftime show, not the national anthem.

Hit the right notes? Vocal talent? What are you TALKING about? This no-talent hack might just as well have appeared on camera in a butcher's cloak, soaked with pig blood, and holding a cleaver in her hand. Not only did she mangle the words to a song she's been "singing since she was 7 years old..." but her unnecessary, excruciatingly painful vocal calisthenics rendered the song's MELODY unrecognizable. Shame on whoever it was that ever told Ms. Aguilera she has any talent, and I hope the fry machine at McDonald's is the next career step for the genius who hired Ms. Aguilera for this gig. And while we're on the subject of entertainment abominations: how 'bout that halftime show?! Are you kidding me..? People actually buy the "music" of the Black Eyed Peas? Why? That was by FAR the worst - I mean WORST halftime show I've seen in my more than 50 years on the planet. I was not a fan of the Black Eyed Peas before the show, and their ridiculous attempt at entertainment during halftime solidified my status as non-fan. When you can't sing to save your life, you try to deflect attention from that by putting on futuristic costumers, using vocal electronics and having shiny lights on your costumes. It was like watching a train wreck with major loss of life occur on Easter Sunday. Holy cow.

Hit the right notes? Vocal talent? What are you TALKING about? This no-talent hack might just as well have appeared on camera in a butcher's cloak, soaked with pig blood, and holding a cleaver in her hand. Not only did she mangle the words to a song she's been "singing since she was 7 years old..." but her unnecessary, excruciatingly painful vocal calisthenics rendered the song's MELODY unrecognizable. Shame on whoever it was that ever told Ms. Aguilera she has any talent, and I hope the fry machine at McDonald's is the next career step for the genius who hired Ms. Aguilera for this gig. And while we're on the subject of entertainment abominations: how 'bout that halftime show?! Are you kidding me..? People actually buy the "music" of the Black Eyed Peas? Why? That was by FAR the worst - I mean WORST halftime show I've seen in my more than 50 years on the planet. I was not a fan of the Black Eyed Peas before the show, and their ridiculous attempt at entertainment during halftime solidified my status as non-fan. When you can't sing to save your life, you try to deflect attention from that by putting on futuristic costumes, using vocal electronics and having shiny lights on your costumes. It was like watching a train wreck with major loss of life occur on Easter Sunday. Holy cow.

the President of the United States is just a man? Air Force One is just a plane? But these things are also symbols of something much greater...

The National Anthem is just a song.

But Sasha and Maliah's wooly hair is the hair "God" or Mother Nature gave them.

But if esteemed racists will -with the power of their Media- get their panties in a bunch over changes made to "the National Anthem", they certainly would not give a rats a$$ about discouraging a child from experiencing the free and natural love and affection the child would have for the natural texture of their own hair - if that child is "black" with wooly hair - would it be socially acceptable for Jesus to have bronze skin and "white wooly hair"? not in a racist society it isn't.

While it is their right to associate only with "whites" and people who assimilate their beliefs to serve "both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans" - in their PRIVATE LIVES, I am not sure I agree that the Super Bowl, the Courthouses, the White House or any PUBLIC PLACE is the place to debut such an awesome version of our anti-black white supremacist racist culture.

It is two very different points that one should be able to wear the natural texture of their hair without fear of discrimination in the workplace, at the polls, and without fear that the ratings on their shows will fall... or should the masses who expect that their Negroes to be indoctrinated be forced to look at this natural version of a non-European-Americ.. opps, non-"white" with reverence, respect and most of all, equal protection under law.

I would love to see the racists, who have a job to do, start coloring up their faces and kinking up their hair too - for "fashon"'s sake (as they will no doubt have US believe that without any encouragement from the First Lady, Sidwell Friends or racist/sexist media in general Sasha and Malia's "fashion" sense led them to want to damage their hair so that it could be straight...) Maybe they could change the dress codes so that if your hair is naturally wooly or your eyes naturally asian you'd have an equal chance of being promoted or voted for... we could all just sympathize with the fact that they had a hard job to do and give them courage for taking the step into the the world of equal protection and doing that job of complying with supreme Law.

After all there are no other qualified people to do it.

What a racist nation!!

poor beautiful wooly haired children... if only racists (and indoctrinated house negroes...) thought they were beautiful without straightening their hair

Hit the right notes? Vocal talent? What are you TALKING about? This no-talent hack might just as well have appeared on camera in a butcher's cloak, soaked with pig blood, and holding a cleaver in her hand. Not only did she mangle the words to a song she's been "singing since she was 7 years old..." but her unnecessary, excruciatingly painful vocal calisthenics rendered the song's MELODY unrecognizable. Shame on whoever it was that ever told Ms. Aguilera she has any talent, and I hope the fry machine at McDonald's is the next career step for the genius who hired Ms. Aguilera for this gig. And while we're on the subject of entertainment abominations: how 'bout that halftime show?! Are you kidding me..? People actually buy the "music" of the Black Eyed Peas? Why? That was by FAR the worst - I mean WORST halftime show I've seen in my more than 50 years on the planet. I was not a fan of the Black Eyed Peas before the show, and their ridiculous attempt at entertainment during halftime solidified my status as non-fan. When you can't sing to save your life, you try to deflect attention from that by putting on futuristic costumes, using vocal electronics and having shiny lights on your costumes. It was like watching a train wreck with major loss of life occur on Easter Sunday. Holy cow.

"President Hussein Obama will go down in history as one of Americas smartest president."

Do me a favor and go jump off a cliff. You sound like a racist, immoral, stupid hick for somehow trying to pull in both religious tension and an attack of Obama when we are just making fun of this so called "star", and the laughing stock that a major part of the NFL front office is. Goodell is a boob for allowing this to happen.

If you hold it so dear, then that's good for you! It's just NOT that serious to me!! Now if someone from another country was mocking it, then that's different! But for you guys to act as if she just stabbed the baby Jesus is ridiculous!!

Posted by: Angryman
_____________________

*** Huh? That makes even less sense.

Why would you stand up to someone from another country who was mocking something you don't consider a big deal?

Is the American flag just a piece of colorful cloth to you, too?

Posted by: UponFurtherReview | February 7, 2011 10:57 AM
==========================================
What's NOT a big deal to me, was her performance of the song! As an American she has a right to interpret the song according to how it makes her feel!

However, if she was 30% less good looking then she should get a good scolding for repeating and finessing a lyric in the National Anthem. If she was 20% better looking she could just "la-la-la" the anthem and all would be well.

as compared with the sort of songs most singers sing professionally, let alone write, the National Anthem is a death trap. Most songs are written with short phrases that are either sentences or are complete ideas, and lead from line to line obviously, and are easy to memorize. The first complete sentence is half the song, going from "Oh, say" to "streaming," (plus one sentence fragment and one more sentence to end it). In print, you can see that the poem has two phrases to each line, with "light" and "gleaming" rhyming with "fight" and "streaming." But when you sing it, each line gets split in two, so you have eight lines, beginning with "Oh," "by," "what," "at," "whose," "through" "o'er" and "were." The only rhymes are then what amount to the second and fourth line rhyming with the sixth and eighth respectively, and the dependent clauses and appositives separate the lines that suggest each other, so when you think of the broad stripes, it's easy to overlook that it was only through the fight, and o'er the ramparts that they were so gallantly streaming, assuming you thought of "whose" after belting out "gleaming" in the first place. The melody doesn't help the lines flow from thought to thought either, it's a series of melodic fragments as well, OK for a drinking song, but not so much for a poem whose lines span the fragments.

None of this is to excuse CA, or any of the professional singers who have screwed up the lyrics (I suspect for the same reason - you think you have it down, but you don't), but half the posters here can sing along only because they hear each line begin and recognize what's next. If they had to pull out a pencil and write it down, or were told to sing it right now, couldn't.

It is when it's MADE IN CHINA!! Maybe you need to be more concerned about the fact that Our flag is made in China, than all of this venom directed at Christina Agullara!

Posted by: Angryman
_________________

*** Ah, OK ... so we need to check the label of every American flag before we can decide whether to salute it or pledge allegiance to it.

I suppose a telescope or binoculars are necessary when you're at an NFL game, yes?

Keep digging, Angryman, this is most entertaining.

Posted by: UponFurtherReview | February 7, 2011 11:03 AM
==========================================
Oh, so you despise Christina's performance of the National Anthem, but you have no issue with saluting a CHINESE MADE FLAG? My point was you should be more concerned with the fact that just about everything so-called American is made in China and less concerned about Christina's rendition of the Natianal Anthem!! But I guess and American is an easier target for you!!

"I think our is the only national anthem that I've heard sung like a torch song. I agree that it should be sung exactly as written. This evenings performance was a disgrace."

Posted by: judysails1
_________________________

What do you mean "...exactly as written..."? Francis Scott Key took a traditional drinking song and laminated some graphic lyrics on it. he anthem has been sung worse, and will be sung better. SO what? Let go of the American mythology and just relax.

She wsa a performer singing under cotnract that failed to perform. Since she failed to perform per the cotnract she should not be entitled to compensation for it. besaide- why was she picked- so they could get some free advertising for that horrible movie she's in.

Unbelievable! I'm a 24-year military veteran and have six more in a support role. 30 years total serving my country.

A few weeks from now (when the next bread and circuses outrage pops up) no one is going to remember Aguilera's error.

Your outrage should be saved for issues that really matter, like the cost of two wars, like invading a country that was no threat to us, like the PATRIOT Act's infringement on our rights, like Americans who can't afford health care, like the countless others that really, really matter.

Frankly, I was much more offended by the players standing on the sidelines picking their noses. Review the video and count up how many did not have their hands on their hearts or who looked bored out of their minds.

Despite all the faux-patriotic garbage that was shown at the beginning of the game, apparently the teams couldn't see clear to teach players how to appropriately render respect to the flag...and these are your heroes who made a bundle off the game.

Oh, so you despise Christina's performance of the National Anthem, but you have no issue with saluting a CHINESE MADE FLAG? My point was you should be more concerned with the fact that just about everything so-called American is made in China and less concerned about Christina's rendition of the Natianal Anthem!! But I guess and American is an easier target for you!!

Posted by: Angryman
________________________

*** Did I say Aguilera's performance was my biggest concern?

Ummm ... I can express an opinion on a botched Super Bowl performance and be concerned about bigger things at the same time.

Oh say can you see
By the Dawns early light
What so proudly we hale
At the twilights last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the parilous fight
Oh the ramparts we watched
Were so galantly streaming
And the rockets red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there
Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O're the land of the Free
And the home of the brave

Frankly, I was much more offended by the players standing on the sidelines picking their noses. Review the video and count up how many did not have their hands on their hearts or who looked bored out of their minds.

Posted by: arancia12
______________________

*** So make up your mind -- either it's important to respect the National Anthem and the American flag ... or it isn't.

If it is, how can you dismiss the sentiments of people who think Aguilera didn't show enough respect for the National Anthem?

If it isn't, then why do you care whether players picked their nose or failed to put their hands over their hearts?

Frankly, I was much more offended by the players standing on the sidelines picking their noses. Review the video and count up how many did not have their hands on their hearts or who looked bored out of their minds.

Posted by: arancia12
______________________

*** So make up your mind -- either it's important to respect the National Anthem and the American flag ... or it isn't.

If it is, how can you dismiss the sentiments of people who think Aguilera didn't show enough respect for the National Anthem?

If it isn't, then why do you care whether players picked their nose or failed to put their hands over their hearts?

Posted by: UponFurtherReview

______________________

I have made up my mind. You are simply so emotional over the issue you fail to read.

Aguilera made a mistake. The players were just clueless. Big difference. She tried, they didn't.

*** That's easy to say when you enjoy the freedoms that other people died for on behalf of the nation that flag represents.

---------------------------------------------------

That's because there is a lot more to this nation and the freedoms that we enjoy than a symbolic piece of cloth. I am ex military and don't need to be lectured on what others have died for. Try standing up for the poor and disenfranchised, things that really matter, instead of a symbol. Defending the flag is cheap and easy. Make your words and actions count and do something worthwhile instead of just sitting around critisizing people for not being 'patriotic' enough.

Not sure where in the original poster's remarks she/he said you didn't have the right to critique the performance.

See how that reading thingy works?

Posted by: arancia12
_____________________

*** Indeed I do, which is why you should take your own advice.

Angryman felt it was important to remind me the rights Aguilera has as an American, and I simply reminded Angryman of the rights I have as a fellow American. Ergo, I was making a parallel point, not responding to a negative claim.

If you're going to butt into someone else's conversation, Arancia, at least try to keep up.

Aguilera is just one of the many rock stars who make an embarrassment of the national anthem. After that bad beginning I turned OFF the Super Bowl. Americans want to hear an uplifting correctly sung version of the Banner and there are plenty of groups and individual singers who can get it right. The Super Bowl execs can surely do better than that.

Aguilera is just one of the many rock stars who make an embarrassment of the national anthem. After that bad beginning I turned OFF the Super Bowl. Americans want to hear an uplifting correctly sung version of the Banner and there are plenty of groups and individual singers who can get it right. The Super Bowl execs can surely do better than that
--------------------------------------------------

No, Benson, the President of the United States did not botch the oath of office.

The incredibly well educated, erudite, and thoroughly conservative Chief Justice John Roberts botched the oath when he recited it for Obama to repeat.

It just shows that anyone -- no matter how brilliant, how non-"lib", and how far you are from a pop star -- can make a mistake under the pressure of a huge event. That was the only thing Justice Roberts had to do that entire day!

No, Benson, the President of the United States did not botch the oath of office.

The incredibly well educated, erudite, and thoroughly conservative Chief Justice John Roberts botched the oath when he recited it for Obama to repeat.

It just shows that anyone -- no matter how brilliant, how non-"lib", and how far you are from a pop star -- can make a mistake under the pressure of a huge event. That was the only thing Justice Roberts had to do that entire day!

Not sure where in the original poster's remarks she/he said you didn't have the right to critique the performance.

See how that reading thingy works?

Posted by: arancia12
_____________________

*** Indeed I do, which is why you should take your own advice.

Angryman felt it was important to remind me the rights Aguilera has as an American, and I simply reminded Angryman of the rights I have as a fellow American. Ergo, I was making a parallel point, not responding to a negative claim.

If you're going to butt into someone else's conversation, Arancia, at least try to keep up.

if you have season tickets to football, or baseball, or are an avid viewer of nascar (they broadcast the national anthem before every race) you will hear people mess up a line (or more often a word) or two on occasion.

She wasn't making a mockery of it, like Rosanne Barr, she made an honest mistake.

I've watched artists blow the lyrics to songs that were written by themselves and have sang for years, so I can cut a little slack to this woman. The humiliation of a professional blowing their job in front of a hundred million people, most of whom know the lyrics, is enough punishment.

That said, this was the Super Bowl where the best teams of the year, best commercials of the year and best artists are on display. One of the teams and many of the commercials disappointed us. So why not one of the artists?

If you hold it so dear, then that's good for you! It's just NOT that serious to me!! Now if someone from another country was mocking it, then that's different! But for you guys to act as if she just stabbed the baby Jesus is ridiculous!!

Posted by: Angryman
_____________________

*** Huh? That makes even less sense.

Why would you stand up to someone from another country who was mocking something you don't consider a big deal?

Is the American flag just a piece of colorful cloth to you, too?

Posted by: UponFurtherReview | February 7, 2011 10:57 AM
==========================================
What's NOT a big deal to me, was her performance of the song! As an American she has a right to interpret the song according to how it makes her feel!

And yes, any FLAG that's MADE IN CHINA, IS just colored cloth to me!!

Posted by: Angryman | February 7, 2011 11:09 AM

----------------------------
What's NOT a big deal to me, was her performance of the song! As an American she has a right to interpret the song according to how it makes her feel!

Posted by: Angryman
______________________

*** And as a fellow American, I have a right to critique her performance if I see fit.

See how that Constitution thingy works?

Posted by: UponFurtherReview
________________

Not sure where in the original poster's remarks she/he said you didn't have the right to critique the performance.

See how that reading thingy works?

Posted by: arancia12 | February 7, 2011 11:29 AM

?????????????????????????????????????????????

So how many of you were discouraged from experiencing the free and natural love and affection for the natural texture of your own hair - your whole lives - as the First Children are currently being abused - in the name of judeo-christian white supremacist 'let's talk about how the non-WASP "butchered" our song' racism...

That's because there is a lot more to this nation and the freedoms that we enjoy than a symbolic piece of cloth. I am ex military and don't need to be lectured on what others have died for. Try standing up for the poor and disenfranchised, things that really matter, instead of a symbol. Defending the flag is cheap and easy. Make your words and actions count and do something worthwhile instead of just sitting around critisizing people for not being 'patriotic' enough.

Posted by: rpaustex
___________________

*** I haven't accused anyone of not being patriotic enough, so put the straw down already.

I don't see any conflict between showing respect for the flag -- and other national symbols -- and standing up for the poor and disenfranchised. The American Dream is about becoming a success despite your station in life.

Besides, that "poor and disenfranchised" talk is cheap, too. Plenty of people want government to handle the job, but how many of them really do volunteer work for, say, Habitat for Humanity?

PLEASE bring some dignity back to our National Anthem at sporting events. It is embarassing to see it botched so badly by people who need electronics to sound even mediocre and can't be bothered to learn the words. Bring out a military unit of some sort to do it justice. These horrible renditions leave such a bad taste in my mouth. Yes NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL I am talking to you! Can you hear??

One problem with all this is "The start spangled Banner " itself. One, it is a horribly written piece of music , generally unsingable by millions.
Two, it is a song about a relatively insignificant battle in a mostly forgotten war.Third, it should be replaced by "America the Beautiful" which describes the country and is singable and Fourth, why do we even sing the "national anthem" before sporting events at all? Few other countries do this at all. Dumb, just dumb.

How did it ever become 'good' to hit every note in the audible range of hearing that is NOT the melody? Which, as stated earlier, is indeed 'jazz' by definition, but I didn't know the National Anthem was a jazz tune....

Ms. Aguilera is certainly full of herself but unfortunately pursues that belief in complete absence of sensibility, decency, and respect for the song.

If that's the best she can do (and I would hope she gave her best), she surely should do something ELSE.

But...why would she? It's not like this type of sorry excuse for 'singing' hasn't worked for her.

What is sad is that she is famous as a performer. That's a problem with her audience..not her horrific 'interpretation' of the National Anthem.

Americans could learn this from Brazilians. In events in which the National Anthems is to be sung the crowd does it. Catch a glimpse of it in the World Cup or in the Olympics when the
Brazilian flag is raised on the mast.
From: Zilmar Ziller Marcos, a Brazilian retired Prof, formerly from Aggieland and Buckeyeland

Americans could learn this from Brazilians. In events in which the National Anthems is to
be sung the crowd does it. Catch a glimpse of it in the World Cup or in the )Olympics when the
Brazilian flag is raised on the mast.
From: Zilmar Ziller Marcos, a Brazilian retired Prof, formerly from Aggieland and Buckeyeland

I wish the Star Spangled Banner could be sung as it was written. It is disrespectful to put your own 'flair' to the National Anthemn. Please, no more screaming females 'interpreting' a song that belongs to all of us.

Posted by: amac3

---

It CAN'T be "sung as it was written". Francis Scott Key wrote it as a poem. It was his brother-in-law who found that the poem could be matched to an old English song sung in an abrupt high pitch by public drunkards. That is the reason for so many errors in its singing. Maybe it's time to retire this song and replace it with many of the other alternatives like America the Beautiful or My Country 'Tis of Thee.

I write a blog that deals specifically with the Anthem and other music in sports. You can read my views on this abberation of an Anthem at my blog, called Oh Say Can You Sing. Here's the link: http://ohsaycanyousing.wordpress.com

I actually didn't notice she botched the lyrics, but I was annoyed that she waved to the crowd before starting and said "Thank you" at the end. Makes it seem like she thought the cheering was for her, not for the U.S.A. A bit tone-deaf on that point (no pun intended).

However she as a business was contracted to deliver the National Anthem and didn't therefore she's in breach of contract and should NOT be paid the full contract amount. In the professional world of business that's called "errors and omissions".

The money should go to a good charity organization supporting the performing arts.

She is a genuine talent and should not be crucified for really bad form but never-the-less held accountable. Time to put her big girl panties on.

Through the parilous fight (against non-WASPs and for enslavement and assimilation of non-WASPs...)

Oh the ramparts we watched
Were so galantly streaming (against the clans from Europe's King who would keep all this land and gold and free labor "we" found for their own purposes...)

And the rockets red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there (in the invaded lands "we" intend to keep for our own wealthy white landowning and corporate men...)

Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O're the land of the Free (so long as you're white judeo-christian and Sub-Free if you're assimilated and you straighten your hair and keep your "fashion" sense eurocentric...)

And the home of the brave (people who - for a sum paid to their families if they should be killed and not merely blown up halfway - will execute the orders of the religious extremist Indoctrinator in Chief...)

hmmpf... there doesn't seem to be anything in the National Anthem implying that Corporations are "persons" - unless that part about the "brave" refers to Corporations as well....

I thought when Aguilera was being walked out there that it was too rushed to pull off the national anthem; she was out of breath when she took the stage. They should have been more considerate of the performer and orchestrated it better.

My question is WHO looked at Christina Aguilera's career and thought, "Gee, she'd be great to sing the National Anthem in front of half the country"? Really?? Because when *I* look at her and her body of work, my immediate thought isn't "National Anthem," it's that she might be more suited to spinning around a pole in a gentlemen's club somewhere outside Boise, but that's just me. I mean, "Christina Aguilera" and "National Anthem" are two completely separate thoughts that I can't imagine would ever associate themselves in anyone's mind. They aren't even in the same solar system.

Anyhoo, sing the Anthem any way you want with any spin you want on it, and sure, flub it if you must. But if your version is so insanely overwrought that it makes people cringe, expect to get lambasted for a lack of talent in general not just that you made a mistake.

The National Anthem, whatever it is or it's origins, should at least be pleasant to listen to. I don't think I could even bear to listen to a replay of Aguilera's uncontrolled caterwauling - it would be too painful - and I had to go listen to Whitney's version on Youtube after the game was over just to make myself feel better. Poor National Anthem!

A good band and everyone singing would be more engaging and patriotic than listening to someone who tries to turn it into a performance featuring "me". The song is to honor America, not the diva singing it. Colonel Prejean in his post said it just right.

ByLaw, you do realize the Super Bowl is a money making event, don't you? So many posting here don't seem to get that it is not a religious or political event. It's a place to take money out of people's pockets and put it in other people's pockets.

Hence, they chose a singer who makes lots of money. Jesus, people, this can't be rocket science.

Our culture's capacity to view human error as some sort of moral failing is highly disturbing. We do this with all of our public figures, not just performers. The ultimate sin in America is no longer murder, child abuse, rape, genocide, or greed. It is failure on a public stage to achieve perfection. Ben Rothlisberger, a two-time SuperBowl winner, has now, by several writers, been officially designated a "loser" because he failed to convert a 2 minute drill under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

Christina Aguilera simply failed, as most of us do, under pressure on a big stage. She is no less or more a patriot or a valuable human being for doing so. How exactly has she injured us in such a way that she merits our hate, and our name-calling? And how does her failure to get the words right merit a front page bullet with art on a national newspaper's website? Our inability to feel a modicum of compassion for her under the circumstances is not her failing, it is ours, and it is frightening. When almost 70 percent of those responding feel that her error is unforgivable, we have reached a point at which our personal rights (to a perfect pre-game????) are more important than the humanity of those around us. Our defining cultural characteristic now officially appears to be pettiness. Or maybe we are just mean.

By the way, I don't think she was paid a penney for singing. I know the half time acts are not paid. They only get expenses. Ordinarily I would think of this as just another ripoff by the NFL; but this year I'd say Christina and the Black Eyed Peas got paid exactly what they are worth - nothing.

It wasn't just the botching of the lyrics. Her "stylization" of the song was abominable. I've heard a lot of bad renditions of the National Anthem by singers who think vocal gimmicks substitute for power, range and color, but that was maybe the worst ever.

That's because there is a lot more to this nation and the freedoms that we enjoy than a symbolic piece of cloth. I am ex military and don't need to be lectured on what others have died for. Try standing up for the poor and disenfranchised, things that really matter, instead of a symbol. Defending the flag is cheap and easy. Make your words and actions count and do something worthwhile instead of just sitting around critisizing people for not being 'patriotic' enough.

Posted by: rpaustex

??????????????????????????????

But if we stand "up for the poor and disenfranchised", the judeo-christian wealth white men... er, Corporations... will claim that "we" are starting a "class war" (that they actually began upon establishing USof A)

If black men were paid the same as black women, and black women were paid the same as white women, and white women were paid the same as white men, it wouldn't be so easy to create a larger pool of poor and working poor...

in fact, if there was a spirit of obedience to supreme Law, equal protection would be an element of discussions like these...

... but instead - for the sake of racism and sexism - "we" allow our Media to put the question of weather the non-WASP female singer can be forgiven for flubing the National Anthem while we allow our Media to get away with NOT posing such a question when it comes to the WASP Chief Justice flubbing a much shorter and simpler swearing in of a President of the United States (but don't tell anyone that this is due to racism in Media and media's audience)

"What is racism?

Racism is racial prejudice that has been incorporated into the activities and procedures of major institutions, corporations, social systems (such as those related to housing, education, and health), and other arenas of major social activity (such as politics, the media, finance, and banking). Racism serves both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans."

"...the new racism describes a more elusive, political, almost abstract language of race which avoids blatantly negative racist statements in favor of political codewords and symbols. This new racism is partly based on a view of racial discrimination as being outdated and puts the onus of achievement and equality on African Americans and other ethnic minority people. If African Americans would, for example, stop clamoring for special treatment and simply work harder, they could achieve the American Dream. The idea is that it is African Americans= own deficiencies B whether they be greed, laziness, violence, and so on B that are the cause of their problems, not the history of slavery, segregation, discrimination, prejudice, and racism which is assumed to have come to an end...."
Excerpts from what was Written by ..., PhD
At the request of the American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate

Quite frankly, I was so appalled at the amount of over-singing that she was doing that I wasn't even paying attention to what she was singing. It's my opinion that performers who trivialize our National Anthem by singing it to their personal flamboyant style should be tried as traitors and punished accordingly.

"ByLaw, you do realize the Super Bowl is a money making event, don't you?"

Well, if the idea behind asking Aguilera to sing the National Anthem was either that she's a train wreck that people can't look away from and thus will pay to see, or that she's skanky enough in a strip-club sort of way that men would pay to see...couldn't they have saved money by just asking a bunch of random strippers to sing it?

I personally would not pay to see her sing the National Anthem, not before she destroyed it and especially not after. Would you?

Quite frankly, I was so appalled at the amount of over-singing that she was doing that I wasn't even paying attention to what she was singing. It's my opinion that performers who trivialize our National Anthem by singing it to their personal flamboyant style should be tried as traitors and punished accordingly.

I was not happy with the way she sang it, not clearly u/stood wording, sort of garbled & exagerated at times & her getting some words wrong. But, she is so beautiful, from top to foot, so senuous, attractive & provocative, while being a nice person with a grerat voice, I am not bothered by her mishandling our song. I would say the sexual side of my man-brain overrules the other parts, so I will accept most any mistake she could make. This applies to most men observing a woman of her beauty & sweet disposition. she can do little wrong.

That's because there is a lot more to this nation and the freedoms that we enjoy than a symbolic piece of cloth. I am ex military and don't need to be lectured on what others have died for. Try standing up for the poor and disenfranchised, things that really matter, instead of a symbol. Defending the flag is cheap and easy. Make your words and actions count and do something worthwhile instead of just sitting around critisizing people for not being 'patriotic' enough.

Posted by: rpaustex

??????????????????????????????

But if we stand "up for the poor and disenfranchised", the judeo-christian wealth white men... er, Corporations... will claim that "we" are starting a "class war" (that they actually began upon establishing USof A)

If black men were paid the same as black women, and black women were paid the same as white women, and white women were paid the same as white men, it wouldn't be so easy to create a larger pool of poor and working poor...

in fact, if there was a spirit of obedience to supreme Law, equal protection would be an element of discussions like these...

... but instead - for the sake of racism and sexism - "we" allow our Media to put the question of weather the non-WASP female singer can be forgiven for flubing the National Anthem while we allow our Media to get away with NOT posing such a question when it comes to the WASP Chief Justice flubbing a much shorter and simpler swearing in of a President of the United States (but don't tell anyone that this is due to racism in Media and media's audience)

"What is racism?

Racism is racial prejudice that has been incorporated into the activities and procedures of major institutions, corporations, social systems (such as those related to housing, education, and health), and other arenas of major social activity (such as politics, the media, finance, and banking). Racism serves both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans."

"...the new racism describes a more elusive, political, almost abstract language of race which avoids blatantly negative racist statements in favor of political codewords and symbols. This new racism is partly based on a view of racial discrimination as being outdated and puts the onus of achievement and equality on African Americans and other ethnic minority people. If African Americans would, for example, stop clamoring for special treatment and simply work harder, they could achieve the American Dream. The idea is that it is African Americans= own deficiencies B whether they be greed, laziness, violence, and so on B that are the cause of their problems, not the history of slavery, segregation, discrimination, prejudice, and racism which is assumed to have come to an end...."
Excerpts from what was Written by ..., PhD
At the request of the American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate

Apparently we have. Look at how many people are apoplexic about a simple mistake.

Please re-read the posts (I realize reading is not your strong suit) to see some hatred spewed.

How about this: "Stinky lib...robing (sic), raping, and murdering."

"Dumb blonde."

"It's all that fat seeping from her hips to her mouth."

"U idiot."

"Dumb moron singer."

"Go back to her country."

Any attempt to defend these statements a less than hateful is stupidity on your part.

Posted by: arancia12
______________________

*** Any assumption that I was defending any statements other than my own is stupidity on your part.

And surely -- despite your inability to understand terms such as "parallel point" -- you're at least capable of understanding that one could easily find venomous comments on either side of the political spectrum.

It wasn't just the botching of the lyrics. Her "stylization" of the song was abominable. I've heard a lot of bad renditions of the National Anthem by singers who think vocal gimmicks substitute for power, range and color, but that was maybe the worst ever.

But nothing would be as bad as seeing Michelle, Sasha, and Maliah wearing the natural texture of their hair!

that's something that rclover4 and others think is unspeakable - they would never dare encourage even the idea of such a thing by even commenting upon it (other than defending the racist practice of discouraging african-american children from experiencing the free and natural love and affection the children would have for the natural texture of their own hair...)

It's a free country and Aguilera can sing it/botch it however she wants. I thought she SUCKED. I suppose if we have pop performers sing such things they will add their stylistic vocal embellishments. I absolutely HATE such stuff, as if that crap improves the piece. In my extremely cranky opinion, it worsens the piece (already difficult vocally because of its range). Significantly. Sing the damn notes (if you can), performers, and spare me your annoying cultural accretions.

Of course, I'm in a very small minority: old, male, white, Anglo-Saxon, a classical musician (add all the other categories you love to hate . . .). So nobody's going to listen to me anyway.

anything like this woman's stylization is like burning the flag.
***
You're right. SHE'S A TERRORIST! Clearly, she hates America and wishes for it's downfall. She's in league with Al Qaeda, Al Jazeera, Al Green, AND Weird Al Yankovic.

Could we please just sing the National Anthem by something traditional like a recording of a military band? These pop singers keep "n-wording" it up.
==================================
The above comment ranks way up there in truth. This is your average White Tea Partier. Thank Goodness Cristina is White! There are a lot of Sick Racist White People in this country. I Guess she went to an inner city school for her education too? SILLY RABBIT! Whites love to blame their failures on others. Never taking responsibility for your inadequacies. How she tried to sing it has nothing to do with not knowing the words!

Bring in the band, or glee club, from any of the service academies or any branch of the Armed Forces and have the anthem played with the respect it deserves. It is not sung for the aggrandizement of the singer! Listen to the way the national anthem of other countries are sung and/or played and I doubt you'll find one that is as disrespected as our own. It has become a disgrace!

Find unknown excellent singers who will sing the anthem straight and modestly and realize that it is not about them. If you cannot do that, just have a band or play a recording of someone like Robert Merrill from the 50's. The anthem should not be about show business. And the girl who sang America the Beautiful was far to weak to be singing in a stadium. A living room would have been about right for her.

*** No more ridiculous than the overreactions of people who are so worried that Christina can't handle criticism that they actually believe they can make a difference by defending her on a Washington Post thread.

For instance: "People, have some humanity."

People, I really doubt that Christina Aguilera spends her free time reading comments like these.

Lets see, she sang the wrong words. She chose to scream some of the words instead of actually singing them. She sang off pitch at times. She looked like a cheap tramp. I was waiting for her to flop out one of her boobs to complete the spectacle. But I guess she won the twelve year old demograhic group.

what a bunch of mean nasty people - and I especially love the one's who make it political and go crazy lib on us.. give me a break. Ever sing the national anthem in front of millions of people... well guess what - it is scarier than hell - no matter who you are. I love how you all assume she doesn't know the words. I can guarantee she knows the words - more than i bet 85% of you who posted ... but when you get nervous..It's not whether you know the words or not - fear can paralyze you. I have sung before and it wasn't even close to the amount of people.. you also can't hear yourself AT ALL.. and they rush you out there in a frenzy of moves in so many seconds... So keep on bashing her if you really have nothing better to do... but let me tell you - that girl knows her music and can sing the hell out of anything. You should all be ashamed of yourselves for not having more empathy.. google the word if you have to

Apparently we have. Look at how many people are apoplexic about a simple mistake.

Please re-read the posts (I realize reading is not your strong suit) to see some hatred spewed.

How about this: "Stinky lib...robing (sic), raping, and murdering."

"Dumb blonde."

"It's all that fat seeping from her hips to her mouth."

"U idiot."

"Dumb moron singer."

"Go back to her country."

Any attempt to defend these statements a less than hateful is stupidity on your part.

Posted by: arancia12
______________________

*** Any assumption that I was defending any statements other than my own is stupidity on your part.

And surely -- despite your inability to understand terms such as "parallel point" -- you're at least capable of understanding that one could easily find venomous comments on either side of the political spectrum.

Posted by: UponFurtherReview | February 7, 2011 12:53 PM

???????????????????????????

What other "side of the political spectrum"?

christina aguilera?

really?

does she come to your job and point out how not so well you do it?

does she call you names, villify, stereotype, and disparage you...

does christina aguilera tell you that the natural texture of your hair is ugly and that you should change it but promise to swear that it's for "fashion" reasons and a choice you plan to keep making for the rest of your ethnic life?

UponFurtherReview racism is done not in vain - but to serve both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans...

UponFurtherReview racists spend so much time criticizing ethnic minorities for not being indoctrinated enough... and not commenting upon the racist mistakes made by their Chief inJustice who could barely stand to swear in a President because of the color of his skin and texture of his hair...

one could easily find mistakes made by European-Americans (i.e., on the other side of the ethnic and political spectrum...) if one were not so adamnant about being refered to only as "white".

Apparently we have. Look at how many people are apoplexic about a simple mistake.

Please re-read the posts (I realize reading is not your strong suit) to see some hatred spewed.

How about this: "Stinky lib...robing (sic), raping, and murdering."

"Dumb blonde."

"It's all that fat seeping from her hips to her mouth."

"U idiot."

"Dumb moron singer."

"Go back to her country."

Any attempt to defend these statements a less than hateful is stupidity on your part.

Posted by: arancia12
______________________

*** Any assumption that I was defending any statements other than my own is stupidity on your part.

And surely -- despite your inability to understand terms such as "parallel point" -- you're at least capable of understanding that one could easily find venomous comments on either side of the political spectrum.

Posted by: UponFurtherReview | February 7, 2011 12:53 PM

???????????????????????????

What other "side of the political spectrum"?

christina aguilera?

really?

does she come to your job and point out how not so well you do it?

does she call you names, vilify, stereotype, and disparage you...

does christina aguilera tell you that the natural texture of your hair is ugly and that you should change it but promise to swear that it's for "fashion" reasons and a choice you plan to keep making for the rest of your ethnic life?

UponFurtherReview racism is done not in vain - but to serve both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans...

UponFurtherReview racists spend so much time criticizing ethnic minorities for not being indoctrinated enough... and not commenting upon the racist mistakes made by their Chief inJustice who could barely stand to swear in a President because of the color of his skin and texture of his hair...

one could easily find mistakes made by European-Americans (i.e., on the other side of the ethnic and political spectrum...) if one were not so adamant about being referred to only as "white".

All the more reason to ditch this wretched anthem and to designate "America the Beautiful" in its place. Nobody can play or sing it, it's an anachronism in the modern world, etc. I vote to change it, and you may NOT question my patriotism in suggesting a change to something lyrical and beautiful and tuneful and singable which truly does honor America.

... but she hit the right notes? I have had it with these over the top, narcissistic renditions of the national anthem... designed solely to have people focus on the singer's abilities... rather than paying tribute to the song and the country. It seems each performer is merely tryig to out do, and out urban, the previous performance and I for one have had enough up to here with it. What's next? Someone holding a note for 5 minutes in that typical urban style. Is it so hard to say the word "you" rather than yooooooooo ohhh whooo ooooooo oooooooooohhh ooooohhhh ooooohhhhh hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?!?!?!?!!!

... but she hit the right notes? I have had it with these over the top, narcissistic renditions of the national anthem... designed solely to have people focus on the singer's abilities... rather than paying tribute to the song and the country. It seems each performer is merely tryig to out do, and out urban, the previous performance and I for one have had enough up to here with it. What's next? Someone holding a note for 5 minutes in that typical urban style. Is it so hard to say the word "you" rather than yooooooooo ohhh whooo ooooooo oooooooooohhh ooooohhhh ooooohhhhh hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?!?!?!?!!!

... but she hit the right notes? I have had it with these over the top, narcissistic renditions of the national anthem... designed solely to have people focus on the singer's abilities... rather than paying tribute to the song and the country. It seems each performer is merely tryig to out do, and out urban, the previous performance and I for one have had enough up to here with it. What's next? Someone holding a note for 5 minutes in that typical urban style. Is it so hard to say the word "you" rather than yooooooooo ohhh whooo ooooooo oooooooooohhh ooooohhhh ooooohhhhh hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?!?!?!?!!!

Most of the people here are being really unreasonable. She's sung the anthem correctly a number of times at other sporting events. I chalk it up to nerves. She may be a celebrity, but she's still human.

does christina aguilera tell you that the natural texture of your hair is ugly and that you should change it but promise to swear that it's for "fashion" reasons and a choice you plan to keep making for the rest of your ethnic life?

UponFurtherReview racism is done not in vain - but to serve both to discriminate against ethnic minorities and to maintain advantages and benefits for White Americans...

Posted by: stephendavid2002
_________________________

*** Y'know, that's all well and good, but what on earth does it have to do with my critique of Christina Aquilera's rendition of the National Anthem?

To paraphrase Gerald Ford, if Francis Scott Key and his colleagues who looked over the ramparts in 1814 were still alive, they would turn over in their graves.

Why can't these vocalists sing the national anthem the way it was written in the 19th century? After hearing "America the Beautiful" (which I wish were our anthem), I didn't even listen to what's her name sing the wrong lyrics.

Lets see, he took a false oath to support and be bound by the Constitution of the United States - which includes the equal protection clause, flubbed the simplest of duties of swearing in a President of the United States by reciting the wrong word order. He chose to try to de-legitimize Obama's Presidency with his forked tongue use of the words instead of actually providing them in accordance to the requirement of the Constitution for the United States. He smiled off pitch at times - like a backstabber (you know, "they smile in your face..."). He looked like a cheap tramp for white supremacist racism. I was waiting for him to flop out one of his limp balls to complete the spectacle. But I guess he won the old racist demographic group.

oh, wait... this is not about the "supreme" "white" guy...

... it's about a latino who messed up the "white" supremacist er, Europan-American... er, American National anthem...

Just once, I'd like to see one of these singers remember that they are singing to the flag, just like everyone else, put their hand over their heart to show respect, and sing the song without showing off their quavers and high c's. The first young woman did a better job!

It is the greatest song for America and she totally wrecked it...not just the mistakes but dragging out every other word was just ignorant...that is a beautiful song and she should never be able to sing it again until she knows how to sing it right....then maybe have it taped so she cant screw it up...but hey God loves us all...hahaha

Lets see, he took a false oath to support and be bound by the Constitution of the United States - which includes the equal protection clause, flubbed the simplest of duties of swearing in a President of the United States by reciting the wrong word order. He chose to try to de-legitimize Obama's Presidency with his forked tongue use of the words instead of actually providing them in accordance to the requirement of the Constitution for the United States. He smiled off pitch at times - like a backstabber (you know, "they smile in your face..."). He looked like a cheap tramp for white supremacist racism. I was waiting for him to flop out one of his limp balls to complete the spectacle. But I guess he won the old racist demographic group.

oh, wait... this is not about the "supreme" "white" guy...

... it's about a latino who messed up the "white" supremacist er, Europan-American... er, American National anthem...

Call me old fashioned but why do fans feel that they can yell and clap DURING the national anthem? Why can't people just be quiet and keep their hands to themselves (or over their hearts) during the anthem? This is causing a phenomenon I call "anthem creep," where up until a few years ago, people cheered during "the home of the brave." Now the noise starts even before "land of the free."

yak yak yak, pinheads will be pinheads~
she sang a song, they played a game, today is monday - do something more than take up space
Posted by: right_as_rain | February 7, 2011 1:37 PM
--------------
My thoughts exactly. I honestly wish they'd choose another song as a National Anthem.

I was very disappointed and unhappy with both Christina and Lea Michelle's renditions of those two songs. Both these young women have fantastic voices. I would have loved to hear them do straight-forward versions of these iconic songs. Lea seems obsessed with channeling Barbra Streisand, with all the affectations. This seemed to egg on Christina to do incredibly over the top vocal gymnastics. I was really appalled, more by the rendition than the botched lyrics.

Quote.
As a retired member of the Army I was insulted, embarrassed and discussed with the way Christina Aguilera destroyed the national anthem. Not only did she mess up the melody of the song but she couldn't even remember to correct words. Such a performance is an insult to me, to this country and to every member of the armed forces that wears a uniform in defense of this country.
Posted by: campber1
End quote.

As an old soldier myself I am insulted by your amazing hypocrisy. I'd think that you'll have quite a few more pressing matters to be all fussing about than some young girl's messing up of the National Anthem. Please.

Try to see why the military had to fight illegal wars or why the servicemen and women returning from war do not get enough help they need to re-commence their lives with dignity or something as such, but spare me the arrogant opining and attitude you express here.

A general note to all of you patriotic flag waving stone-casters. Get a freaking life and show some of that humility you so aptly demand from the 'ego-centric' and over-paid stars you admonish here so eagerly. At least they are just that, namely folks who with talent or through pure and simple luck became well-known personalities. With Ms. Aguilera we can say pretty certainly that it was her talent expelling her to stardom. (I am not really a great fan of her work in all honesty, but I can recognize her considerable talent in singing).

Seems to me that most of you folks have two things going for you that needs a course correction the soonest. 1) unhealthy envy and 2) tendency to blow minor matters to ridiculous proportion. Both not good. Do something.

To my brothers-in-arms commenting here, yet this: how dare you? -- For any of you to fuss about such issues as this makes me ashamed to call you my brothers. Do we have not fought and died for a concept far more bigger than what you here so grandiosely call a most horrendous matter. Only a darn sock-counter acts this way.

Jyri Sulin

2nd Lt. Finnish Special Forces
Cpl in the 2nd REP (Para's of the French Foreign Legion)

Half the people where we were didn't even notice she sang the wrong words until someone told them. She sang the wrong words, the game was played, the Packers won and the Sun still came up today. move on

"This kind of gaffe is forgivable if you're that young girl who messed up at the NBA game, but not when you're a highly paid celebrity singer.

Aguilera should donate her payment to a military charity."

what about if you're promoted as one of the most highly regarded legal minds in America but you mess up swearing in a President of the United States - except you're an old European-American male who prefers to be identified as racists do in America as "white" UponFurtherReview ?

Where should the Chief Justice donate his pay to?

if racism were not replete throughout "white" thoughts upon nearly any topic Michelle, Sasha, and Maliah could probably wear the natural texture of their own hair - by choice - with the same deference given to the Chief Justice and the children in his family when they wear the natural texture of their hair every day of their lives....

what you DON'T say is just as loud and clear as what you do...

predictably you shy away from any comments upon racism - except to wonder what it has to with you - one way or another...

the fact that racism exists - but you are neither a perpetrator or a victim - just a curious fugnut wondering what it has to do with the Media's circus over Aguilera's flub (and virtual ignorance over the Cheif Justice of the United State's flub - which is in everyway exponentially more important than Aguilera's but carries little of the outrage...) and with you... or anyone you know no doubt (except a few scape goats...) speaks volumes...

but to ease your mind, as Michelle, Sasha, and Maliah try to do when the 'whip they hair'... i'll grant you that just because you have no idea about the implications of what you Don't say... and the implications of your questions... doesn't in and of itself mean that you would rather the First Lady and First Children keep their hair straightened for white supremacists sake.

Just once, I'd like to see one of these singers remember that they are singing to the flag, just like everyone else, put their hand over their heart to show respect, and sing the song without showing off their quavers and high c's. The first young woman did a better job!

Posted by: dragonlady45
______________________

Dear, dear, Dragonlady45. Watch the video at the top. Go to the :44 sec mark and see #50 looking bored, no hand on heart. Go to 1:29 see #10, no hand on heart. Go to 1:38 and see #99, jumping around and annoyed looking. Go to 1:50 and note neither the guy obviously moved nor the man on the left appear to have their hands on their heart.

It's disgusting when any singer desecrates our national anthem as if it is some kind of hip-hop transitory piece of junk music! But, it's the SUPERBOWL authorities fault for choosing a singer who sings that style. If we want our national anthem revered as it should be, they need to choose a singer who will do it in its honorable traditional style, and perhaps that person might even know or rehearse the correct words that every American should know by heart from about second grade on. Her style and MANY of the performers chosen is not appropriate for this honor. It's like jazzing up the "Our Father"!

..it means so much to European-Americans... opps, symbolism, i meant to say "whites" - who uses that 'hyphantion' term - except as it can be used in media to point out non-"whites"...

..it means so much to European-Americans... opps, there i go again, i meant to say "whites"... to see the Black POTUS discouraging a child from experiencing the free and natural love and affection the child would have for the natural texture of their own hair - when that child is not (what European-Americans like to refer to as) "white"

Sorry "koppo55", but our National Anthem is about our freedom, in case you prize it at all. But, NASCAR, and all the big sporting events don't think much about a singer's style either when they choose their performer for this honor. Some know how to do it with the respect it deserves, and some massacre it to death, with all their trills and fancy attempts at attention. Actually, Aguilera's voice even cracked several times, like a barker in a bar because she was trying to outscream the microphone. For a famous singer, I think she did terribly!

It's a shame that our cultural icons don't know it, but unfortunately, I fear, far too many other people don't know the words either. Or, more importantly don't know what they mean or where they came from. I take it personal as Francis Scott Key is in my family tree.

It's disgusting when any singer desecrates our national anthem as if it is some kind of hip-hop transitory piece of junk music! But, it's the SUPERBOWL authorities fault for choosing a singer who sings that style. If we want our national anthem revered as it should be, they need to choose a singer who will do it in its honorable traditional style, and perhaps that person might even know or rehearse the correct words that every American should know by heart from about second grade on. Her style and MANY of the performers chosen is not appropriate for this honor. It's like jazzing up the "Our Father"!

Posted by: Maerzie

______________________

Haaaa haa! Obviously you never heard Sister Janet Meade sing the Lord's Prayer. Nor did you hear the high school garage bands that played at my local Catholic church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd4iJkNCaZ8&feature=related

And here's a hint. You can't desecrate something unless it is sacred and I've seen no mention of the Star Spangled Banner in the Bible.

It's disgusting when any President desecrates our First Children's hair as if it is some kind of do-wop transitory piece of soulless music! But, it's the RACISTS authorities fault for allowing US to choose only Presidents who sings that style of 'straighten yo hair fo the white man'. If we want our national pride in natural textured hair (at least for children...) to be revered as it should be, they need to choose a President who will do it in its honorable traditional style, and perhaps that person might even know or research the correct styles that every American should know by heart from about second grade on. Even the First Lady's hair style and MANY of the eurocentric only styles chosen is not appropriate for this Land of the Free (to be yourself and wear the natural texture of your hair even if it's not straight like a European-American's hair). It's like polluting our planet with a ONE Culture, One Faith, ONE Race doctrine in addition to the technological pollutants.

In order to be sacred, it has to be in the Bible?? WOW! You need to experience a little more life, girl! To diminish the value of our national anthem to your level identifies how little you care about your country. Or, are you an illegal? I guess ther are getting to be MANY like you, as our schools no longer teach respect of the flag or any of our historical values, so you take it all for granted! It's a sad shame!

Love her or hate her and her rendition - Christina Aguilera is getting way more attention and press than she would have if she sang the national anthem perfectly, straight, and lyric-accurate. What's wrong with THAT picture?

In order to be sacred, it has to be said to be so by a racist sexist male?? WOW! You need to experience a little more life, boy! To increase the value of our national anthem to your level of sacredness identifies how little you care about your world. Or, are you a European-American who thinks that Europe and Asia are separate contenents and in any case prefer to be reffered to as "white"? I guess there are MANY like you, as our schools no longer teach respect for a nation under the Constitution of the United States but instead indoctrinates the little children into an "under GOD" doctrine much like the "extreemist" believe the world including the US is under "Allah" ... or any of our Constitutional values other than the eurocentric judeo-christian ones "white" supremacist recognize, so you take it all for granted! It's a sad shame!

no wonder the First Lady and First Children have to straighten their hair... they're terrorfied (by folks like you?) not to

Pathetic. The National Anthem is a sacred trust, just like the American flag, and it should not be bastardized like it was by this woman. The song should be sung - as written - and the horrible modulation of notes (that do not exist in the written music) simply shows that one cannot properly sing The National Anthem. I would have to agree with the other writers who suggest that we stop this "performance" and have all in attendance sing the Anthem.

Actually, Grossman, I'm fond of "bombs bursting in air". It's my favorite line. It reminds us of our violent origins. We were not given independence. We had to fight the British for independence not once, but twice. But shhhhh on the fact that we needed French help both times. Of course the second time wasn't so much "help" as "being a threat to the British".

I am old fart who doesn't even listen to her music, but who cares if she flubs. I wish I had her guts. People seem to forget our National Anthem is extremely had to sing. Before I would condemn an attempt at singing it, I condemn those who leave their hat on, talk and otherwise show disrespect for this sacred song. Good luck to you Lady!

Aguilera should get paid just like any other contractor who promises a deliverable then shows up and does not deliver. A million or two will probably be enough.

I don't blame Aguilera so much as those who hired her, probably without hearing her sing it. The anthem deserves more care and reverence, not because its the anthem but because of what the song describes. A poet would not just read the words of a battle scene. No one should just sing the words of the anthem, even if they do know the words.

To those who would have us cut the star some slack because, after all, WE wouldn't be able to sing the song half as well up there in front of millions of people. Consider this: Singing superlatively in front of millions of people is what SHE DOES FOR A LIVING. WE don't. End of comparison.

Easy. ALL vocals need to be prerecorded and everyone can lip sync. Too many bimbos to trust any one. Can't believe folks are still bugged by Janet's exposure.
PS Black Eyed Peas brought nothing to the party. Poor Fergie, a bad cross between Stevie Nicks and Tinkerbell.

"...or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site."

It is hypocritical to scream "1st amendment rights" when it comes to the trash you print, but then turn around and perform a censorship function upon those who would disagree with you. What a bluto you are.

Posted by: BumpThumper |
---------------------
Shut up Dumb Arse. I don't get you nutz that post about anything EXCEPT the subject.

...can we have an American sing the Song, we know the words and know not to scream the song.Enough of the ethnic BS.

*******
It is truly distressing to see so much vitriol and hate being spewed against Christina.

Professionally trained musicians can talk about her pitch, etc., the average viewer could not detect that sort of mistake. While we are entitled to have different tastes in music, so your reference to her rendition as "ethnic BS" is racist and mean-spirited.

From what I have read, she was born in New York -- that makes her an American. So your rant has an offensive, xenophobic tone as well.

This was a televised sporting event, surely we can find something of greater importance to debate.

I believe that these so-called super stars should have to TRY OUT for the honor of singing the National Anthem. Because if you make your millions in the UNITED STATES the very country that gives you the freedom to sing about drinking, screwing, cheating, or anything eles that crosses your mind..... the least you should be able to do is our countries NATIONAL ANTHEM, CORRECTLY!!!!!!!!!!

If I were invited to sing the National Anthem, I'd just make it up as I went along: "Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early night. What so proudly we hailed that our flag was still there. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof in the right, that our flag was over there. Oh say does thayat star spangled banner ye-e-e-e-e-et wayayayayayave, for the land of the free and the home from the brayayayayayve."

If I were invited to sing the National Anthem, I'd just make it up as I went along: "Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early night. What so proudly we hailed that our flag was still there. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof in the right, that our flag was over there. Oh say does thayat star spangled banner ye-e-e-e-e-et wayayayayayave, for the land of the free and the home from the brayayayayayve."

It was disgusting for a top level entertainer. The gal from Glee did a wonderful rendition of America and one could understand every word; it was very moving.

The half time show was a missed opportunity to say thank you to our troops here, in hospital, back home and their families. Tuned out! Missed chance for a very patroitic bringing together of the country.

I attended the Wizards game on Saturday night and the young local girl who sang the national anthem sounded far better than Christina. She also remembered all of the lyrics. As others have declared, stop hiring pop singers to mangle the anthem at major sporting events and have a military chorus sing it properly.

@JAMESKIM99....Comments," None of those dumb players, coaches, fans & soldiers noticed she botched it." What a dumb statement to make...and if they noticed what were they supposed to do, run out onto the field?

And insulting to say no soldiers in attendance noticed, of course they did.

And, by the way "stephendavid2002", our countfy WAS founded "under God"! I do believe our forefathers knew WHO they founded it under, and told us so! Do you actually believe you can go back and CHANGE the facts of history for a few heathen atheists, who can't figure out there is a Being, Supreme to them, by simply looking out their windows??

Big Bang, Creationism, Evolution, or whatever, ALL need an originator SUPREME or SUPERIOR to anyone currently on THIS earth! But, perhaps YOU are HE, and can create something out of nothing, grow a tree, etc.

However, for your more simple , facetous mind, remember what God said when you thought you were going to grow a garden from scratch: "Sorry, that's MY dirt! You have to use your OWN dirt YOU created from nothing."

Arheists don't have a leg to stand on except that they're too lazy to pay due homage to their Creator!

@JAMESKIM99....Comments," None of those dumb players, coaches, fans & soldiers noticed she botched it." What a dumb statement to make...and if they noticed what were they supposed to do, run out onto the field?

And insulting to say no soldiers in attendance noticed, of course they did.

I thought Christina did a great job and I enjoyed her rendition, not because she is a beautiful young woman, but because she sang the anthem with spirit. she represents what is good about this country, the opposite of what many of the posters represent.

I thought Christina did a great job and I enjoyed her rendition, not because she is a beautiful young woman, but because she sang the anthem with spirit. she represents what is good about this country, the opposite of what many of the posters represent.

This is me trying to be fair: C. A. rarely performs in public and this is, without a doubt, an intimidating venue. Nerves? Personally, there is little I find more nauseating than these solo performances of the National Anthem where we're supposed to be more impressed by the singer than the song, itself. Still, I can imagine I might flub the lyrics in this situation and at least she has enough training to know how to keep going, even when faced with forgetting a line or two. (Or, is it possible that she was interpreting the lyrics? I shudder to think.....)

Since and before Roseann's disaster, whoever selects singers is the one at fault...The remedies are simple, teleprompter, tape beforehand, select millitary bands or other groups who will sing it PROUDLY...

This is one situation that can be controlled but for some reason the powers that be, love controversy.

At certain functions there are never any glitches, like Army-Navy football games...ever wonder why????

Since and before Roseann's disaster, whoever selects singers is the one at fault...The remedies are simple, teleprompter, tape beforehand, select millitary bands or other groups who will sing it PROUDLY...

This is one situation that can be controlled but for some reason the powers that be, love controversy.

At certain functions there are never any glitches, like Army-Navy football games...ever wonder why????

And, by the way "stephendavid2002", our countfy WAS founded "under God"! I do believe our forefathers knew WHO they founded it under, and told us so! Do you actually believe you can go back and CHANGE the facts of history for a few heathen atheists, who can't figure out there is a Being, Supreme to them, by simply looking out their windows??

Posted by: Maerzie

_______________

Holy crap! Where did you get that crazy idea? The founders may have been very sure they were founding the US under God, but they sure could have put God's name in the Declaration and the Constitution...and yet they did not.

We agree the authors of our founding documents knew what they were doing. They specifically left the name of God out of the documents because they didn't care who your higher power is. It could be a rock for all they cared.

Declaration of fact requires some reference. Please cite your sources that proves the founders or authors wanted this to be God-based nation.

Feel bad for the woman - she was trying her best, but her voice and style of singing is just not right for the SSB. It's a terribly difficult song and easy to get the words mixed up. Nevertheless, there's no getting around the fact that Aguilera's performance was poor. If she had sung it straight - without all the runs and "warbling" (and remembered the words) - it would have been much better. But, in truth, even then, it most probably wouldn't have been a favorite of mine.

As a black female veteran who has, in fact, sung the National Anthem at several events, I feel compelled, if not qualified, to comment.

First: I, too, believe the National Anthem is more than "just a song." To that end, vocal pyrotechnics have no place in that particular piece, regardless of their perceived "cultural origins." It is a shared affirmation of our nation's origins and ideals and, as such, deserves a simple, respectful rendition that all feel able to share in.

Second: Not only the National Anthem was cheapened by Aguilera's performance, but the Super Bowl as well. It, too, is a coming-together for Americans, in its way, and all who think such events should be about each giving his or her best were disappointed by that beginning. (For what it's worth, I include the players' non-interest in that assessment.)

Third: Aguilera's "apology" smacked to me, as did her performance, of self-serving. Had I heard less "personal emotion" and more honest humility and taking of responsibility, I would have, perhaps, been one of her champions on this thread. For I do not approve of some of the cheap shots taken at her character, style or record of work; she is what she is, as are we all. But she blew it big, this time, and I reserve my right to make my opinion heard.

As a veteran, it does not injure me to hear some denigrate the National Anthem, our flag, or any other shared symbol. After all, their ability to say such things freely is, itself, the most potent confirmation of the beauty of our form of government that my words are superfluous. I'm actually proud to have fought for those poor souls, along with my other fellow Americans, in service of our ideals.

(As a mere person, however, if I ever meet you in company, and if I have drunk enough Syrah, I might punch you in the face.)

All right, off the soapbox I jump.

One more thing: To the unbalanced poster obsessed with the African-American character of our president and his family's hair: Do not bother addressing any post to me. You must have been interred in some cotton field and never resurrected. All of the rest of us, of all colors, are living in the present. Either become a ghost or join us.

All military persons certainly noticed Agonyilara's vocal rendering of the Star Mangled Banger at the Super Bowl. NFL, get back to using military music or band(s) in attendance to play the anthem, with words on the field screens for the audience to sing, . . . just like the old movies . . . follow the little white ball. And, Black
Eyed Peas belong in a can, not on the field as "entertainment"!

All military persons certainly noticed Agonyilara's vocal rendering of the Star Mangled Banger at the Super Bowl. NFL, get back to using military music or band(s) in attendance to play the anthem, with words on the field screens for the audience to sing, . . . just like the old movies . . . follow the little white ball. And, Black
Eyed Peas belong in a can, not on the field as "entertainment"!

Third: Aguilera's "apology" smacked to me, as did her performance, of self-serving. Had I heard less "personal emotion" and more honest humility and taking of responsibility, I would have, perhaps, been one of her champions on this thread. For I do not approve of some of the cheap shots taken at her character, style or record of work; she is what she is, as are we all. But she blew it big, this time, and I reserve my right to make my opinion heard.

Posted by: superb
_____________

I am a female veteran too. Thank you for your service.

You are aware the Super Bowl is nothing but a self-serving money-making entertainment event don't you? Why should we expect anything less from the performers?

I was more offended by the highly paid players lounging around on the sidelines who didn't render proper respect.

Aguilera a least apologized. I'd like to see Brett Keisel apologize too.

I can understand if people didn't like her performance. I didn't listen to it myself because I don't like her music. This idea that she somehow defiled the US is just plain silly.

In a nation that has freedom of expression as Amendment #1 to our Constitution, I think it is fitting that we sing our national anthem with so much expression even if some people do over vocalize a bit.

I think it was Bobby Brown who sang a really over-top-version of our nation anthem before a Mike Tyson fight. The song lasted longer than the boxing match. He gets my Grammy for Worst Version of a Patriotic Song.

Let's feel free to debate Christina Aguilera's Star Mangled Bummer all we like, but we should remember that she was trying to sing a notoriously awkward piece of scansion into a working microphone that was connected to a working amplifier and thence to working loudspeakers, whereas in Tampa in 1991 the humidity on the day was reported to have persuaded Whitney Houston to sing into a disconnected microphone in sync with the prerecorded rendition that everybody was hearing from the loudspeakers. So if WH fluffed a line then the error would have been spotted mainly by the lipreaders of the world.

Sure, CA was behaving like an untutored amateur with her ridiculous amount of bad vibrato, so much so that my ears couldn't take it for more than 20 seconds or so; and sure, WH kept her famous virtuoso vibrato ability under much tighter control. But what proved WH's ineffable superiority, at least the way she was in 1991, was my eyes. They wetted themselves.

First: I, too, believe the National Anthem is more than "just a song." To that end, vocal pyrotechnics have no place in that particular piece, regardless of their perceived "cultural origins." It is a shared affirmation of our nation's origins and ideals and, as such, deserves a simple, respectful rendition that all feel able to share in.

Posted by: superb
_______________________

*** Well stated from start to finish, Superb. Thanks for your service, by the way.

Also, I have no doubt that if you had been selected to sing the Banner at the Super Bowl instead of Christina, you'd have devoted more serious effort into getting it right.

You said, "You are aware the Super Bowl is nothing but a self-serving money-making entertainment event don't you? Why should we expect anything less from the performers?"

I agree.

And I don't.

Anything we do as Americans, in work, play or service, ought to be the best we are able to do, even though it may not measure up to the "best" some people think it should.

Here, I'm venturing into philosophical realms not welcome in a thread labeled "Celeb" this or that; but it seems to me that at long last, consumerism, and the cult of acquisition, may threaten our American way of life, and our democratic ideals, in a way not perhaps foreseen by our Founding Fathers.

However, Optimism, and I give it a capital letter on purpose, was also a founding element; and as such I will not yet give in to cynicism. I will always believe we Americans WANT to strive for the best, even though we may never reach it. Still -- we must strive, or lose our self-respect.

Yeah ... to keep on fighting to maintain super-rich types and their narcissism grows old. Real old. Any ideas on how to change that? I'm listening.

By Christina Aguilera, the National Anthem was performed in "The Star Mangled Manner".

If it is an offence to burn or mutilate the flag of the United States of America, why is it not an offence to 'burn' and definitely mutilate the National Anthem?

It seems that modern culture has given the okay to mutilate the anthem if there is sport involved: SuperBowl (also known as the 'hyperbole'), NASCAR events, etc. Does that make the mutilation any less egregious?

Interestingly, the 1931 law does not specify an official version: see Library of Congress http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200000017/default.html

A pity; perhaps Aguilera will not have a "day in court" over this travesty, except being forever condemned in the "court of public opinion".

She made a mistake. She has sung it correctly before, so I think she knows the words but just had a bad moment. That said, if you are not Marvin Gaye or Whitney Houston or Jimi Hendrix, just sing the song what way it's supposed to be sung in the amount of time it's supposed to take. No vocal stylings. To see how this is done, attend a hockey game or any game at one of the Military Academies.

UponFurtherReview, my voice would perhaps not have served the larger-than-life requirement that the Super Bowl requires, in the minds of the bottom-dollar-oriented powers-that-be. I understand that. I am no Mozart, nor even Aguilera.

But I thank you for offering that perhaps a myself, or even YOURself, might have given our National Anthem a better listen.

UponFurtherReview, my voice would perhaps not have served the larger-than-life requirement that the Super Bowl requires, in the minds of the bottom-dollar-oriented powers-that-be. I understand that. I am no Mozart, nor even Aguilera.

But I thank you for offering that perhaps a myself, or even YOURself, might have given our National Anthem a better listen.
___________________

*** Well, I don't know about the powers-that-be, but I feel confident in asserting that the average American TV viewer would have related to your interpretation of the Banner much more than Aguilera's. It boils down to basic respect for the Anthem and what it stands for.

I've never sung it in front of an audience, but in my high school trumpet playing days, I delivered the instrumental solo version several times for sporting events. Like you, I considered it an honor and spent a long time preparing for my big moment.

The "Star Spangled Banner" is bombastic, too long, and unsingable. "America The Beautiful" ought to be the national anthem. If I were hired to sing "The Star Spangled Banner," I'd sing Gore Vidal's version:

"And the land of the dull/And the home of the literal."

People would have stopped swilling their Bud Lite and chowing down their Doritos long enough to boo me.

If I were one of the military men there, I would've shot her. and when asked why, I went to war for this country and she couldn't sing the song right?????!!!!!?????
Thank you very much.

Posted by: oops7 |
________________

Your post is funny! First of all, review the video and note the guy in Battle Dress Uniform leaning in front of the player instead of standing at attention. Note the player does not have his hand over his heart. As a matter of fact, four or five players were shown not rendering respect during the Anthem. Brett Keisel is bouncing up and down looking annoyed.

You should also peruse some of the posts from military members, granted who weren't there. Like me. I am a 24-year veteran and I never served a day to protect the flag or the anthem. I served every day of 24 years to protect you and the uphold the Constitution of the US.

Flags fade, the paper of the Constitution can crumble, and anthems can be botched but the US is forever. It's the concept of America I served to protect. It's her people and her land, not a hard-to-sing piece of music that is a poem set to a British drinking song.

No military person at that game would do anything like what you have just suggested. It's evil and vile. You should re-evaluate yourself because Aguilera made a mistake, you have shamed yourself.

Yeah ... to keep on fighting to maintain super-rich types and their narcissism grows old. Real old. Any ideas on how to change that? I'm listening.

Posted by: superb
_______________

I have to respond: Above the rest. I spent my career in the AF :-)

It's all bread and circuses. People want to be entertained and they don't want to serve their country. What they want to do is spend a horrific amount to see a 3 or 4 hour spectacle and feel patriotic about themselves by complaining about a woman who botched her job.

If they were really concerned about the National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance or the Flag they would join those organizations that hold those things dear. If they were truly patriotic they would know we don't take oaths to ensure the anthem is sung correctly or Flag not burned. We take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. That's the only thing that matters.

I applaud your desire to do things to the best of your ability. I wish there were more like you. Ms. Aguilera is not one of them. But surely one does not go to an event that celebrates American gluttony like the Super Bowl to see patriots.

Did you notice that many of the players shown on the sidelines didn't have their hands on their hearts? In one frame a guy in BDUs leans into the frame. He is obviously not at attention. Brett Keisel, given so much press for his beard, is bouncing up and down not even paying attention. These people offend me far more than a pop singer.

They should stop all this faux-patriotism at sporting events. It reminds me of Caligula's games. Keep em entertained and throw em some red meat and they'll be fat, dum,b and happy.

oh say can you see
the mcdonald's on every streets corner
we love fryed stuff and were frigid
hmhm fryed stuff is fingerlicking good
oh yea and i would eat the stars on the banner too
we are brave but only with 5 machineguns under our bed

isnt it that? Rofl
BBQ people,
you know you dont care either
CA do is a shame in her proffesion
as much as you are a shame of living
for being ass about such things

The founders may have been very sure they were founding the US under God, but they sure could have put God's name in the Declaration and the Constitution...and yet they did not.
Posted by: arancia12

---

There's certainly nothing sacred about a poem set to the music of drunkards - and British ones at that. But the US certainly DID invoke God in the Declaration of Independence (emphases added):

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, THE SEPARATE AND EQUAL STATION TO WHICH THE LAWS OF NATURE OF NATURE'S GOD ENTITLE THEM, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ...

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, APPEALING TO THE SUPREME JUDGE OF THE WORLD FOR THE RECTITUDE OF OUR INTENTIONS, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, WITH A FIRM RELIANCE ON THE PROTECTION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

It would be much simpler to get a local college or high school chorus, or even local armed forces choral groups to since the anthem with honor and dignity. The Super Bowl and other major sports events need to stop asking pop stars and celebrities to sing.

Lol. A rampart is just the wall on a fort. Over half the times I've heard the National Anthem sung at an athletic event, the tune was totally butchered. As much as I love the song, sometimes I think we should switch to America the beautiful, if only because everyone understands the words and it's actually within the average human's vocal range.

God damn! You god damn people are ass holes! She at least has the balls to get up there and preform, i dont see you guys singing the National Anthem to millions of people.. that's what i thought. Just let it go, she did a good job. She didn't quit when she made the mistake she kept going and she did great! Get a damn life and do something with it, not put down other people for what they did wrong, tell them how good they did before/ and after the mistake. If your child made a mistake you wouldn't go around making fun of them would you? So stop. Good job Christina!

God damn! You god damn people are ass holes! She at least has the balls to get up there and preform, i dont see you guys singing the National Anthem to millions of people.. that's what i thought. Just let it go, she did a good job. She didn't quit when she made the mistake she kept going and she did great! Get a damn life and do something with it, not put down other people for what they did wrong, tell them how good they did before/ and after the mistake. If your child made a mistake you wouldn't go around making fun of them would you? So stop. Good job Christina!
NOBODY IS PERFECT

God damn! You god damn people are ass holes! She at least has the balls to get up there and preform, i dont see you guys singing the National Anthem to millions of people.. that's what i thought. Just let it go, she did a good job. She didn't quit when she made the mistake she kept going and she did great! Get a damn life and do something with it, not put down other people for what they did wrong, tell them how good they did before/ and after the mistake. If your child made a mistake you wouldn't go around making fun of them would you? So stop. Good job Christina!
NOBODY IS PERFECT

Don't be too hard on Christina. I have good information that she was told only seconds before her performance that she was to perform the US National Anthem--not that of Mexico.

But don't put all the blame on her. Did you hear that bimbo that preceded Christina--the one that yodeled America The Beautiful.

This is what you get with the dumbing down of America. Teacher's graduate in the bottom third of their HS Class; they score 25% lower on SATs compared to every other profession; their average I.Qs are on a par with plumbers, auto repairmen, and US Post Office clerks.

For a good conservative blog which gives one the "skinny" on this stuff, go to:
"www.whatif1234.blogspot.com"

Someone makes a mistake, and thanks to the internet that person is vilified with incredibly rude and unnecessary comments by an audience that that has the collective soul of a rock.

To say that Ms. Aguilera "does not know the words" speaks volumes of the idiocy of both the dried up old hens that write this column as well as the general public that has responded.

Ms. Augilera has sung the National anthem hundreds of times throughout her career. She made a mistake. Personally, given that she has THE BEST voice of any singer that has recorded music in the past 25 or so years, I am willing to forgive her one small mistake.

The rest of you? You are exactly what is wrong with the entire human race.

You've got to be kidding. That sawed-off tart should be arrested for publicly abusing our national anthem. Millions of cultured and music-savvy people across the nation gasped in horror. Worst. Rendition. Ever.

Has anyone ever thought to put up a Teleprompter for the person singing to ensure that s/he doesn't screw up our Nation's anthem? It is a sacred song, and should be sung with reverence and respect.

The moment was not for Christina to focus on her unique vocals and have an "All About ME" moment, but rather give tribute to all who have fought and died to keep our freedoms. It was supposed to be all about the song, not about the artist!

"Personally, given that she has THE BEST voice of any singer that has recorded music in the past 25 or so years, I am willing to forgive her one small mistake."

Some random girl I used to go to church with had a better voice than her. The Elvis impersonator I saw at the fair last summer had a better voice than her. Some local artists who live nearby me and perform in cafes as a hobby have better voices than her.

Even Rolling Stone named 50 other singers that are better than her.

Whitney, Sarah McLachlan, Brad Delp, Steve Perry, Bono, Jennifer Hudson, Charice, and Mark Knopfler all have or had better and more honest voices than her.

Regardless of how great her voice may be (and it's not that great and her misuse of it is painful), her ridiculous rendition of the NA was a travesty. That's what we are discussing here - not whether she is talented in general. Who cares if she is. She looked completely trashy and rendered a trashy piece of music. I am still cringing and it happened two days ago.

I've been bemoaning the fact that 'professional' singers have been butchering our Anthem since I can remember. I just don't understand nor condone the UN-traditional singing of it. Do it correctly or not at all. Plenty of people out there can do it right.

I think that it was wrong for her to do that bad on that song because that is the national anthem and deserves respect!! And face the facts with her messing up like that she probably didn't care that much about it. So with my opinion I think that she could have done very good on that song if she would have practiced and have cared!!